Commodore Plus 4 - Page 154

142 The Built-in Software
When you sort a file, the word processor work area is automatically cleared. If
you have work in the word processor work area, save it before you issue the DS
command. To perform a disk sort, follow these steps:
1. Insert the disk that contains the file you want to sort. Use the ID command to
initialize it.
2. Type the DS command and the field number of the fields you want to use to
sort the file (e.g., ds5;3; sorts by the fifth field and then by the third field).
After you issue the DS command, the message SYSTEM WILL CLEAR
WORD PROCESSOR TO SORT Y/ N? is displayed. Type Y to proceed or N to
abort the sort. While the sort is executing, the file manager displays the message
BEGIN DISK SORT ON with the field numbers of the sort. When the sort is
finished, the file name, number of records, and number of the last record stored
are displayed.
Records are sorted using the CHR$ code values of the contents of the sort
field(s). This means that fields containing only letters are sorted alphabetically
whereas fields containing only numbers are sorted numerically. Fields containing
a mixture of letters and numbers or punctuation marks (including blanks) may
not be sorted as you would expect. Refer to the CHR$ code list in Appendix C for
the values used.
The sort creates a temporary subfile of the old file records rearranged. To
review the sorted file, use the RV (ReView) command. Records are displayed in
the sorted order, and the actual record number of each record is displayed at the
bottom of screen during the review. You can display individual records with the
RC (ReCord) command. Use the old record numbers, which are not changed
when the file is sorted.
The subfile is destroyed when you turn off the computer, re-sort the file, or load
another file manager file. The subfile is not lost, however, when you switch to
another program.
You can also terminate the subfile with the RESETLIST command, which
returns the file to its normal condition.
Examples: ds2; Sorts the file by the second field.
ds4;7;l; Sorts the file first by field 4, then by field 7, and finally by
field 1.
HIGHRC FM ^
Sets an upper limit on the records to be included in a subfile. The record
number in the HIGHRC (HIGH ReCord) command prevents all those records
with higher record numbers from being accessed until the subfile is disbanded.