Return to MTsort guide base window
This window is handler-specific. It allows modification of runfiles and other changeable parameters.

The menu button labelled "Stream 1" allows the user to choose the name of the output device.
This must be set correctly before the sort is started.

The current set of output runfiles known to the sort program are shown in the list window. On selecting one, its contents are copied into the modify boxes in the lower half of the window. Any changes to the list made by using "Add", "Replace", "ResetLine" or "Remove" must be copied back into the program using "Save".

The "Add" button copies the current contents of the modify boxes to the end of the list.
The "Replace" button copies the current contents of the modify boxes and overwrites the currently selected list member.
The "ResetLine" button copies the current volume and file name contents of the modify boxes, sets the start and end blocks to zero, and overwrites the currently selected list member.
The "Remove" button deletes the currently selected list member from the list of runfiles.

The "Save" button writes back the current runfile list contents into the sort program.

The check button labelled "Use input filenames to name output files" should also be set to the desired mode.
If unchecked (no tick) then the list of runfiles defined in the output handler window is used. Each output runfile is filled before going on to the next one in the list.
If checked (ticked) then one runfile needs to be defined for each output tape (or disc directory) required. These are used as a template, with the file name part being overwritten by the name of the input file. As each input runfile is started, the current output template is copied and the input filename is inserted into the list.

If the input filename is not a unique name ( i.e. a wildcard) then the input tape volume name is used instead.

For tape output the transferred input filename is stripped of characters not allowed in ANSI format filenames (e.g. underscores) and then truncated from the front if longer than 6 characters.


Maintained by Janet Sampson and John Cresswell (University of Liverpool)
Email to support@ns.ph.liv.ac.uk