Sequence fixed length data

This option allows you to create a unique value (sequence number) for the contents of a field and to produce a frequency listing of the field values. The sequence number is referred to as the code on the Sequence fixed length data dialog box.

The Sequence fixed length data dialog box is split into 4 sections:

• Input file
• Code/Frequency listing file
• Output file and code placement options
• Code options

Input file

• Browse lets you select the input file to use. A dialog box is displayed to allow selection of the file. You can also specify the file name by entering the full path name into the Input file field.
• Data location specifies the starting and ending position of the data that is being sequenced.
• Find longest record determines the longest record in the file and is helpful in identifying where the code will be added to the file if the option Place codes at the end of each record is selected.

Code/Frequency listing file

Save as lets you select the Code/Frequency listing file name to use. A dialog box is displayed to allow selection of the file. You can also specify the file name by entering the full path name into the Code/Frequency listing file field.

Output file

Save as lets you select the output file name to use. A dialog box is displayed to allow selection of the file. You can also specify the file name by entering the full path name into the Output file field.

Code placement options

There are 3 options for code placement within the Output file:

• Place codes at the end of each record
• Insert codes at position <start>
• Merge codes at position <start>

Place codes at the end of each record

Places the code at the end of each record.

Insert codes at position <start>

Places the code into the record starting at the position specified and pushes all subsequent data forward in the record.

Merge codes at position <start>

Merges the code into the record starting at the position specified and overwrites any data located in that position.

Code options

There are 3 Code options that can be specified:

• Starting code (sequence number)
• Code width
• Zero fill codes

Starting code

Allows you to select the Starting code (sequence number) - default is 1.

Code width

Allows you to select the length of the code by specifying Code width - default is 10.

Zero fill codes

Allows you to specify whether or not to zero fill the field selected for the code if the sequence number assigned to that record does not fill the width specified in the Code width field.

Run

Selecting the Run button will check for any entry errors and process the input files creating a new output file. When processing is finished your entries will remain intact. This allows for changes and the process easily repeated.

Close

Selecting the Close button will clear all fields and return to the WCSortMerge dialog box.