Quoting ianne <[log in to unmask]>:

> Oh I have a follow up question.. So the maximum sort file size depends on the
> available disc space? I mean as long as there is available space for sort
> file, I can allot that much space or there's still limit?
>
> Thanks!

There is a maximum to the size of a file, including number of records, record
size, blocks and extents and of course the available disc space. Each is
somewhat a function of the other, in that the size of a record will affect the
maximum number of records you can specify for a file. It seems to be a dying
art over the past few years but you should also take time to calculate a
blocking factor (the number of records per block).

Take a look at the FILE and BUILD commands either in the MPE/iX Commands
reference manual or the online HELP facility. For the online help just do a
HELP FILE or HELP BUILD and you'll get some good info on the two commands and
the parameters.

Under no circumstances should you *ever* build a file that will consume either
eventually or immediately all the available disc space on a system. The system
will hang as processes need to acquire disc space for one reason or another and
can't because your file is taking all available space. You can actually end up
with a system that won't boot due to a lack of disc space. One way to avoid
this is to have a log on udc for OPERATOR.SYS that includes the command BUILD
TAKESPAC;DISC=20000,1,1;DEV=1;TEMP - this way you're always sure the system
will be able to boot because the file created is temporary to the operator's
session and does not exist when the system is rebooted thereby leaving enough
space for the system to properly boot up. That available space must be on ldev
1.

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