3100, 3200, 3300 Basic System - Control Data 3100 Reference Manual

SORT/MERGE orders fixed or variable length tape records, blocked or unblocked,
written in either BCD or binary mode, according to a specified collating sequence. BCD
and binary collating sequences are provided within SORTIMERGE, or the user may
specify his own. The resultant output file may be merged with other presorted files in
a final merge pass, or, if a number of presorted files exist, the merge phase only can be
performed.
The SORTIMERGE program can transfer instruction execution to the user's prepared
subroutines which in turn perform the following typical functions. Other subroutines
not shown on this list may also be used:
• Edit acceptable records
• Reject records
• Check nonstandard labels
• Modify nonstandard labels
• Generate messages for the operator
• Write secondary output file (edit sorted records)
• Prepare summary file (summarize sorted records)
• Terminate the sort process
The SORT/MERGE checks standard header and trailer labels and provides rerun
dumps. The SORT/MERGE contains an internal sort phase and a merge phase. The
sort uses the tournament replacement technique which makes maximum use of avail-
able core storage and takes advantage of existing bias in the data. The method of merg-
ing, which is selected by the user, can be normal balanced or polyphase with either
forward or backward reading.
3100, 3200, 3300 BASIC SYSTEM
Included in the 3100, 3200, 3300 BASIC system are:
• BASIC Assembler
• BASIC FORTRAN II
• BASIC Utility
BASIC Assembler
The BASIC Assembler language forms a subset of the 3100, 3200, 3300 COMPASS
language. Although designed primarily for use on a 4K configuration, it can readily be
used on larger systems. Object programs produced by the BASIC Assembler are loaded
by the self-contained loader or can be loaded by SCOPE. Source language programs
must be prepared as complete entities if they are to be loaded by the internal loader. As
a result, facilities for referencing external storage areas (COMMON, DATA) and ex-
ternal program elements (ENTRY, EXT. Macros) are not used in BASIC Assembler
language, nor are a few of the more complex pseudo instructions (VFD, IF). All other
features of the language are similar: operating codes, addressing, data definitions, listing
control, etc.
To assemble a BASIC Assembler program, the following configuration is required:
• Minimum of 4K words of storage
• Input unit: card reader, magnetic tape or paper tape (used for source language
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input, library, and BASIC Assembler)
• Listable output unit: printer, magnetic tape, paper tape, typewriter
• Object program output unit: card punch, magnetic tape, paper tape, type-
writer (All output may be written on one tape unit if desired.)
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