HP 3000 Manual page 41

Columns 20-80: Factor 2 Constant
If factor 2 is a constant, you use columns 20-80 to enter the constant you have selected. Normally, columns
40-80 are reserved for comments. They can, however, be used as necessary for constants longer than 20
characters or digits. The constant can be any arrangement of characters. When you enter a constant
containing character data, placing a C in column 8, your entry must be the same length as the factor 1 field
and must begin in column 20. Although the XSORT specification form includes 72 columns, your entries
can extend to 80 columns.
Numeric Constants
Numeric constants are always right-justified according to their length. They must be the same length as
the factor 1 field. If the factor 1 field is packed, the length of the factor 2 field will be twice as long. For
example, if factor 1 was a six position field in the input record and factor 2 was the numeric constant 135,
you would have to right justify your factor 2 entry to column 25. You would enter 135 in columns 23, 24,
and 25. It would not be necessary to include leading zeros since XSORT reads blanks and zeros the same.
Unpacked Constants
Unpacked constants must be the same length as the factor 1 field. Suppose your factor 1 field takes up four
positions. Your entry for factor 2 must do the same. If the factor 2 constant is the value 5, you would enter
a 5 in column 23. You could leave 20, 21, and 22 blank or fill them with zeros. Negative unpacked
constants require special attention. The negative sign must be "overpunched" on the last digit of the
constant.
Coding Negative Constants (Unpacked)
If last digit in
constant is:
0 } (right brace)
1 J
2 K
3 L
You replace it with
this character:
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