173 load error file EXTSM performing a sort

Problem:

Sort causes a runtime system failure, error message is rts 173 load error on file EXTSM

The failure occurs when SORT is the first file io operation attempted in the application.

Resolution:

The error ocurrs because the run time system dynamic loader can not find the Net Express sort module (EXTSM)

EXTSM is linked with a part of the Micro Focus filehandler (MFFH.DLL) - The EXTSM module will be loaded along with MFFH.DLL if any other file io operation is executed prior to the SORT statement

To Resolve:

Create EXTSM.DLL file and place in the Net Express runtime directory

Use the following command to create a Extsm.dll.

cbllink -d -RS -k -v extsm.obj>cbllink.txt<Enter> or

Place the extsm.dll in the folder where the application is executing. This will make the sort available to all .EXE and .DLL programs.

Cbllink.txt will capture all the details published by the "verbose" switch (-v) and the "keep" switch (-k) will retain the module definition file (.def) and the import library (.lib) for the dll.

Note:  specifically linking an application using the -s  (non-default) switch which means do NOT link in Micro Focus system programs and so excludes extsm.obj from the built application. As such, a direct call to SORT (extsm) at runtime will fail with 173 error.