Hi,
I'm looking for a Windows based sort utility. I have a text file that
I want sorted based on some fields in the file. I'm looking for
shareware for now but would be interested in buying something if it is
the only thing available.
Thanks,
softballkid1961

What about the built-in Sort command?

- Hammer

Or use microsoft excel presuming you have it.
Data... Import External Data... Import Data then choose text as the file type.

(Or even just try pasting it into an excel worksheet and then using
Data... Text to Collumns command.

Hammer,

What is the built-in Sort command?

Softballkid1961

shockandawe-ga,
I did forget about Excel but I would like to do the sort as quickly as
possible because I will be sorting 10 - 20 times a day. Ideally, I
would like a batch job that I run with a click of a mouse button. I
guess I should have mentioned that in my question.

Thanks,
Softballkid1961

Try this:
Suppose your file is Data.txt stored at C:\Text files\Data.txt and it
contains following data

--- Data Start ---
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
--- Data End ---

If you want to sort this file on a regular basis then you can prepare
a batch file with following command

--- Start of Batch File ----

REM Start of sorting program
REM navigate to the directory your file is saved.

c:
cd\
cd Text files

REM Below is starting command.
REM DataSort.txt is the output file where the sorted data will be stored.

sort Data.txt /o DataSort.txt

--- End of Batch File ----

This may help you to sort the data you require.
if you want more help on sorting command just typein "sort /?" on the
command prompt.

-- AMs

Hi AMS,

I did not know that was there. I checked out the help and there was
nothing there abouting sorting by two or more fields. These fields are
in different areas of the record. Again, I apologize for not
specifying this in my original request.

Thanks,
Softballkid1961

Hi Softballkid1961,
Well.. if with fields you are refereing to columns of data and if you
have fixed width data in your file, you can sort it by different
fields.

there is a /+n option for sort command, that starts sorting from the
nth charachter. so say you have the sencond field begining from the
10th charachter, then you can just specify /+10 and the data will be
sorted by the second field (column).

lemme know if you need more detail.

-- AMs

Hi AMS,

I saw that but I want to sort multiple fields or columns that are not
contiguous in the record.

Softballkid1961

You can always simulate a multiple-column sort with multiple
single-column sorts. Start with your lowest-priority field and work
back to the highest-priority field. All you have to do is add extra
"sort" commands to the batch file.

http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/ contains a Windows implementation of
the Unix "sort" command.

eakerma,

I downloaded the utility zip but when I try to unzip it with WinZip it
gives me an error stating "it does not appear to be a valid archive".
Am I doing something wrong.

softballkid1961