Carsten's PPE Collection/Carstens_PPE_Collection_2007.zip/S/SSORT43.ZIP/MANUAL.TXT

Text File | 1991-07-28 | 12KB | 529 lines

                                      SUP'RSORT

          SUP'RSORT  is designed  as  a replacement  for  the sort  utility
          provided with MS-DOS.   It provides the same  basic functionality
          while providing a bunch of new features.  It uses a SHELL-METZNER
          routine for super fast speed.

          1. Sort files of unlimited size

          2. 40% speed improvement on small files

          3. Sort on any position within the record

          4. Sort on multiple fields simultaneously

          5. Specify data types for sorting dates and numbers correctly


                           USING SUPR'SORT TO REPLACE SORT

          In its simplest form, you can type from the DOS command line

          SUPRSORT INPUTFILE OUTPUTFILE /+NN

          where NN is the beginning position from the left of the record to
          begin the sort.  NN is  optional.  If omitted, sorting will begin
          from position  1.   If  you want  SUP'RSORT to  sort on  multiple
          fields  you should enter the  most significant NN  first, a comma
          and the  length of the  field, followed by  another /+NN for  the
          lesser significant field, etc.   As an example, this  would allow
          you to sort by state, then by salesman, and then by customer.

          SUPRSORT SALEFILE.DAT NEWSALES.DAT /+15,2 /+40,10 /+65,30

          The spaces  between the file names  and after are  required.  The
          others are optional and may be included  to increase readability.
          Just as in the  DOS sort utility,  a - instead  of + specifies  a
          reverse sort.

          Full pathnames are supported  for INPUTFILE AND OUTPUTFILE.   DOS
          redirection will  not operate  with SUP'RSORT however  because of
          the  fact that SUP'RSORT  must create temporary  scratch files if
          your  file exceeds  the available  RAM memory  on  your computer.
          SUP'RSORT  does take  advantage of  all free  memory for  maximum
          efficiency.

          You will need to have the line FILES= in your CONFIG.SYS file set
          large enough  to accomodate sorting larger  files.  As a  rule of
          thumb, you will need 1  file buffer for every 1000 data  records.
          Most people have FILES=50 or there-abouts set, but if you get the
          message,  TOO MANY  FILES IN  LINE 250, this  is most  likely the
          problem.

          Here is a sample batch file  that will allow you to sort  a large












          file and then direct the output to the printer.

          SUPRSORT %1 %2
          TYPE %2 >LPT1:






























































                              HANDLING DATES AND NUMBERS
             (This function is only available in the registered version)

          In order for  SUP'RSORT to  handle files with  other than  string
          information  correctly, you  will  need to  create an  "IDX" file
          that matches your  input file.   A sample file  for an  inventory
          file is  shown below.  It  would be named ITEMS.IDX  and the data
          file, ITEMS.DAT

           22
          STOCK NUMBER                 15            0
          DESCRIPTION                  40            0
          UNIT COST                    9             21
          RETAIL PRICE                 9             21
          VENDOR                       7             0
          ON HAND  QTY.                9             21
          REORDER POINT                9             21
          REORD QTY.                   9             21
          DATE LAST ORDER              8             11
          DATE RECEIVED                8             11
          EXTENDED COST                9             21
          EXTENDED RETAIL              9             21
          MTD SALES                    9             21
          QTD SALES                    9             21
          YTD SALES                    9             21
          LIST PRICE                   9             21
          WHOLESALE PRICE              9             21
          EXTENDED LIST                9             21
          EXTENDED WHOLESALE           9             21
          PRODUCT TYPE                 4             0
          CATEGORY                     4             0
          GL SALES ACCOUNT NUMBER      7             0

          The first line contains the total number of fields in the record.
          Each  record then  follows with  a name,  field length  and field
          type.  Currently defined field types are:

          0 - string information - no filtering performed
          11 -  date in format MM/DD/YY - will be reversed to YY/MM/DD when
          sorting
          12 - date in format MM/DD/YYYY  - will be reversed to  YYYY/MM/DD
          when sorting
          21 - numeric field - will be right justified and left padded with
          spaces when sorting






















          If an "IDX"  file has been  created for the  input file, you  may
          reference the fields to  sort by field name rather  than position
          as in:

          SUPRSORT  ITEMS.DAT OUPUTFILE  /+PRODUCT TYPE  /-CATEGORY /+STOCK
          NUMBER

          Now ain't that more like the English you lar'ned in skuul than

          SORT     [drive:][pathname]     [<][filename].[extension]     [>]
          [device/filename] [/+r] [/+nn]

          Well, dang if it ain't!

          With release  4.2 of the program,  a new command line  switch has
          been  added that allows you to tune  SUP'RSORT to your file.  The
          program  has trouble determining the number of records to read in
          each pass  if your records are of variable length.  Out of memory
          messages  sometimes occur.  The  system will now  default to 1000
          records for each pass.  You can change  this number up or down by
          placing /RD nnnn in the command line.  nnnn can be any number  up
          to 2500.  For files with shorter record lengths, you may increase
          nnnn for faster output.











































                           SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


           "Do you have any other programs that you're distributing?"

          ANSWER: Yes,  We take great pride in  our ability to provide high
          quality, high function, easy to use programs for a popular price.

           "Will it help if I buy more RAM memory for my PC?"

          ANSWER: Yes,  up to a maximum  of 4 megabytes. TMOS  makes use of
          all  available memory for performance purposes.  You should see a
          sizeable  speed  improvement  particularly on  large  files. Your
          sorts should also run faster.

           "In what language was SUP'RSORT written?"

          ANSWER: It was written in  "Microsoft BASIC", then compiled  with
          the  Microsoft BASIC  Compiler version 4.5.  There are  also some
          assembler language subroutines, which  were created using the IBM
          Assembler.  We use  WORD PERFECT to maintain our source  code and
          documentation  files.    Final  documentation  is  produced  onto
          diskette directly from WORD PERFECT to assure that the manual you
          receive reflects the most recent revisions.

           "What computers run SUP'RSORT?"

          ANSWER: We've  worked very hard to make  SUP'RSORT run on as many
          different "MS-DOS" computers as possible. It runs on almost every
          IBM  "compatible" computer,  and on  many MS-DOS  computers which
          don't even claim to be IBM compatible.

           "Can I obtain the source code for the program?"

          ANSWER:  The  source  code  is  available  from  Eastern  Digital
          Resources for your own non-commercial  use.  Contact us  directly
          for pricing.





























**************************************************************************
  If you are ordering by mail, please be sure to allow at least two
  weeks each way for mail delivery.
**************************************************************************

      SUP'RSORT Registration (US funds)......... @ $25.00 ea

      3-1/2" diskette                             Add $ 2.00

      Please add $1.00 shipping and handling to all orders to USA,
      $2.00 for overseas.

Multi-copy discounts: 5-10 copies: deduct 10%
                     11-25 copies: deduct 25%
                     26-50 copies: deduct 40%
                     50 or more:   deduct 50%

Your registered SUP'RSORT program will be sent by first class
mail the day we receive your order, unless we hear otherwise. If you
want your order shipped by courier, please include sufficient payment
to cover the additional shipping charge.

The  latest shareware  version of  SUP'RSORT  will always  be available  from Eastern
Digital Resources  for $5.00 and may  be freely distributed.  No  commissions will be
paid on unregistered copies.

We want to hear from you. We value your comments, bug reports, wish
lists, and suggestions! If you have any ideas or comments that would
make SUP'RSORT a better program, then please let us know.

Cheers,



































                          O R D E R   F O R M

Mail to: Eastern Digital Resources
         P. O. Box 1451
         Clearwater, SC  29822-1451

Payment by:  ( )CHECK  ( )MONEY ORDER  ( ) Send COD

Please make check payable to Eastern Digital Resources.


Name:_____________________________________________________________

Signature:________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________

       : _________________________________________________________

Phone:   ___________________

Please send me (check desired items):

____ SUP'RSORT Registration (US funds)......... @ $25.00 ea  $ ______

        ____ 3-1/2" diskette     Add $ 2.00

     SC. Residents please add Sales Tax .............. @ 5%  $ ______

____ Shipping/Handling: $1.00 to US, $2.00 Overseas          $ ______


                                                       Total $ ______

I acquired SUP'RSORT from ( )Friend  ( )Computer Club

( )BBS:_______________________ ( )Other__________________________





























                           HISTORY OF RELEASES OF SUPR'SORT

Version 1.0  Written sometime in the early 80's for some customer
             I don't remember when or for who.
        2.0  Who knows, sometime in the mid 80's, I cleaned this
             thing up and generalized it.
        3.0  Likewise, there were some distributions thru PC-SIG
             starting about 1988.
        4.0  Never really made it out the door.  Found some bugs
             after shipping to 1 customer  06/15/91
        4.1  Cleaned up those bugs and introduced others. 07/12/91
        4.2  First shareware general release 07/27/91.  This one
             worked, but had some problems dealing with variable
             length records.  Also worked only from the DOS command
             line.  Added function /RD to specify the number of
             records to read with each pass.  Thanks to Jack Hazel
             of Jack's Board (404) 798- 4006 for doing beta testing.
        4.3  Some more clean up.  Fixed problem with input from
             within SUPR'SORT.  Released 07/28/91.