SAS z/OS support for IBM z15 INTEGRATED ACCELERATOR FOR Z SORT

[sbb]

We are interested to see SAS z/OS 9.4 provide technology support for new-function added with IBM z15 Integrated Accelerator for Z Sort (new SORT LISTS / SORTL instruction.) 

Please click LIKE / VOTE-UP for this ballot item, or contact your SAS sales or product manager directly to voice your enterprise's interest with adding ISV-interface support for Z Sort functionality, new with the IBM z15.

Benchmark performance-improvement results with native IBM DFSORT SORT execution, where compatibility is exploited, have demonstrated up to 50% CPU-time reduction and also some improved elapsed time.

IBM has communicated that ISV-interface support is available as well, but this technology-extension requires significant ISV R&D effort.  While some IBM technical documentation mentions that "IBM is currently working with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to take advantage of the new feature as well", it is evident that SAS INSTITUTE is looking to customer-input for direction with prioritizing new-function support.

Scott Barry
SBBTech LLC

[TimH]

I like this idea - but is there an option for SAS to use 'native' sort and would that resolve this because SAS would invoke DF/Sort which would in turn invoke the zsort accelerator?

[sbb]

I think you are referencing the SAS CONFIG/OPTIONS SORTPGM=  parameter, correct? -- however when invoking DFSORT (or SYNCSORT, for those sites not using IBM DFSORT) is considered the "host" sort application, not "native" or "SAS" (internal).

Scott Barry
SBBTech LLC