The restrictions listed
below apply to each input or output procedure called by SORT
and to each output procedure called by MERGE.
- The procedure must not contain any SORT
or MERGE statements.
- You can use ALTER, GO TO,
and PERFORM statements in the procedure to refer to
procedure-names outside the input or output procedure.
However,
control must return to the input or output procedure after a
GO TO or PERFORM statement.
- The remainder of the PROCEDURE DIVISION must not contain any transfers of
control to points inside the input or output procedure (with the
exception of the return of control from a declarative
section).
- In an input or output procedure, you can call
a program that follows standard linkage conventions.
However, the
called program cannot issue a SORT or MERGE statement.
- During a SORT
or MERGE operation, the SD data item is used.
You must not use it in the output
procedure before the first RETURN executes.
If you move data into this record area
before the first RETURN statement, the first record to be returned will be
overwritten.
- Language Environment condition handling does not allow
user-written condition handlers to be established in an input or
output procedure.