6. Sorting (SORT)

Most of the time, when you want to build a report, you first have to sort the basic file, for example on the individual's personnel number, whereas the report is requested by service code.

The programmer must then insert standard sorts between each program, or resort to COBOL sorting, which allows generalized sorting programs to be included in a COBOL program.

In fact, it's more accurate to say that we allow the introduction of sequences of COBOL programs, at the beginning or end of sorting, with the aim of modifying or eliminating records before or after sorting.

The program with sorting is built differently from the usual programs (in which you generally read, calculate and write), because here you don't read or write, simply sort (SORT) and, if necessary, add a processing procedure at the start of the sort (INPUT...