SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SORTING DATA

摘要

A method for comparing data, and in particular character data, is disclosed. Two pieces of data are compared to determine if they are within an equivalence class based on using a dictionary sort order table with a non-unique collating sequence. If so, the pieces of data are compared using a dictionary sort order table with a uniqu e collating sequence. The comparison method may be implemented within a sorting module that receives an input data set and then uses the comparison to compare two piece s of data in the input data set at a time. The sorting module uses the result of the comparison method to sort the input data set into equivalence classes. The results of a second comparison provides data sorted within equivalence classes. The sorting modu le may provide sorting services to a database management system or to a calling program.