in reply to sort utility key specification

BrowserUk:

I occasionally need to sort financial files from mainframes, so I'd love to see flags for packed decimal fields. I have a script that I use to patch up these files into text for sorting, but it would be nice to skip that step.

Also, I don't know whether your n flag means that the sort routine expects binary values in your records, or text strings representing numbers. If it means your records contain binary values, I'd really like to sort a numeric text column in natural order:

unsorted              sorted
----------            ----------
xxx1   xxx            xxx1   xxx
xxx11  xxx            xxx  5 xxx
xxx  5 xxx            xxx 010xxx
xxx010 xxx            xxx11  xxx

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Regarding your comment about gnu sort: I know what you mean. I use it infrequently enough that I can't remember just how to specify what I want, but often enough to wish it was easy to remember. I generally have to sort the file a few times before I can get the switches just right.

...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.

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Re^2: sort utility key specification
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Apr 21, 2012 at 14:01 UTC
    I'd love to see flags for packed decimal fields.

    Hm. I was under the impression that packed decimal fields sorted in correct numeric order when treated as strings?

    Also, I don't know whether your n flag means that the sort routine expects binary values in your records, or text strings representing numbers.

    Text representing numbers.

    With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
    Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
    "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
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[reply]

      BrowserUk:

      They do, until you throw in some negative numbers. They munge the sign into the last character.

      ...roboticus

      When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.

[reply]
        They do, until you throw in some negative numbers. They munge the sign into the last character.

        Ah yes. That's a pain to deal with.

        I'll look into how much work is involved -- there is also the issue of implied decimal points -- relative to the number of times it might get used.

        One question. What type character would you use for bcd?

        'b' is currently free, though I can see it might be useful for something else. 'd' is used and 'c' isn't particularly mnemonic.

        With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
        Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
        "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
        In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

        The start of some sanity?
[reply]

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