Along with the other reasons outlined by others, it significantly improves bulk processing, I shy away from the term batch because that has come to have a bad connotation.
When dealing with individual transactions, such as an ATM transaction or a web transaction, sorted data is not needed. But, when company goes to process all the payments received that day, or checks that cleared, etc., processing is much improved when the data coming in is in the same sequence as the existing data structure. It improves because of locality of reference. Using a relational data base, or any other random access method, doesn't mean you have to access it randomly. Chris Blaicher Technical Architect Software Development Syncsort Incorporated 50 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 P: 201-930-8234 | M: 512-627-3803 E: cblaic...@syncsort.com -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Andrew Rowley Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2016 2:51 AM To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU Subject: Why sort (was Microprocessor Optimization Primer) On 02/04/2016 10:09 PM, David Crayford wrote: > IBM switched the magic bit to offload the JZOS JNI C/C++ workload to a > zIIP so they could do the same for DFSORT. A well engineered library > could handle the callbacks so the client just reads records like a > normal API. That would certainly push Java batch up a notch. One question that puzzles me (maybe it's my lack of an application programming background): Why is sort used so much on z/OS? I know you can then e.g. do grouping based on key changes, but is that really necessary in current programs? Is that the reason it is commonly used? I generally use e.g. Java HashMap, C# Hashtable for grouping so the data doesn't need to be sorted. Do other common languages on z/OS provide similar functions? (C++ I know.) Are there opportunities to use programming language features to avoid sorts altogether? Andrew Rowley ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN ________________________________ ATTENTION: ----- The information contained in this message (including any files transmitted with this message) may contain proprietary, trade secret or other confidential and/or legally privileged information. Any pricing information contained in this message or in any files transmitted with this message is always confidential and cannot be shared with any third parties without prior written approval from Syncsort. This message is intended to be read only by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed or by their designee. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are on notice that any use, disclosure, copying or distribution of this message, in any form, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and/or Syncsort and destroy all copies of this message in your possession, custody or control. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
