Assort Version 1.0
                         Copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995
                            Bill Ahlbrandt Software
                             Little Rock, Arkansas
                                (501) 280-0462

Thank you for your interest in Assort!

Assort is a generic Sort/Merge/Copy utility that has features that are
similar to programs that have been available on IBM mainframe platforms
for years from products such as SyncSort, CA-Sort and DF/Sort.

   o  Fixed, Variable and Text file formats are supported.

   o  ANY number of sort fields can be specified.

   o  ANY number of INCLUDE/OMIT conditions can be specified for
      record selection/omission.

   o  ANY file size can be Sorted/Merged or Copied.

   o  ANY number of files can be merged.

   o  Data formats such as Packed Decimal, Zoned Decimal, Intel Binary,
      Unsigned Binary, Binary, ASCII Character, and EBCDIC Character
      are supported.

   o  Ability to reformat records on input and/or output.

   o  Record lengths exceeding 1 gigabyte are supported.

   o  Sortwork file size will never exceed 1 percent more than the
      input file size.

   o  In all cases, Assort is Faster than any product benchmarked
      (Public Domain, Shareware and Purchased products).

   o  Multiple concurrent instances supported when called from other
      programs.

   o  Eliminate duplicate records.

   o  Sum numeric fields across records with duplicate keys.

   o  Includes support for User Exits/Callback Functions.

   o  Includes versions for OS/2 2.x, OS/2 Warp, Windows 95 and Windows/NT.

   o  No runtime royalties.

You may make copies of this software and distribute to other users as long
as there is no charge or other consideration and this notice is not removed
or bypassed.

   Assort is user supported software.  If you use this program, please
   register your copy.  The registration fee is $59.  Registered users
   will receive hardcopy documentation and installation materials and 
   technical support.

   Mail your name, address and payment to:

      Bill Ahlbrandt
      #1 Coffeepot Lane
      Little Rock, AR  72202
      (501) 280-0462

   Registration can also be done electronically on CompuServe.
        GO SWREG
        Shareware registration number 7496

   Please report any questions or problems to me on CompuServe at 73121,652
   or by mail to the above address.

Unzip the file by specifing:

     PKUNZIP -d ASSORT.ZIP

This installation disk includes the following directories:

OS2        OS/2 Executables, DLL, Import Library
WIN32      Win32 Executables, DLL, Import Library
INCLUDE    Include files for calling Assort from a program
IVP        Installation verification procedures
DOC        User and System Documentation files in MS-Word 6 Format

For your platform (Win32 or OS/2), copy the files from the appropriate
directory to a directory that is included in your PATH.

*** For OS/2 Users, the ASSORT.DLL must be in a directory that is specified
*** in the LIBPATH variable of your CONFIG.SYS file.

1)  Copy ASSORT.EXE, SORT.EXE and ASSORT.DLL to a directory in your path.

2)  Change to the IVP subdirectory.

3)  Issue the RUNIVP command to verify that the product is functioning.