HP 3000 Manual page 54

continuation lines are used in this example, only one position in the work and output records is defined by
the first three lines. If column 19 were left blank and no continuation lines were used, each line would
then define a new position in the work and output records.
When you sort records in ascending order, having placed an A in column 18 of the Header, XSORT places
hex FF into the work record before you force any characters. When you sort records in descending order,
having placed a D in column 18 of the Header, the program places hex 00 into the work record before any
characters are forced.
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