# tExternalSortOutput Sorts input data based on one or several columns, by type (numeric or alphabetical) and order (ascendant or descendent), using an external sort application, and passes the sorted data to the subsequent component. ## tExternalSortOutput Standard properties These properties are used to configure tExternalSortOutput running in the Standard Job framework. The Standard tExternalSortOutput component belongs to the File family. The component in this framework is available in all Talend products. ## Basic settings | Properties | Description | | --- | --- | | Schema and Edit
Schema | A schema is a row description, it defines the number of fields to be processed and
passed on to the next component. The schema is either Built-in or stored remotely in the
Repository.

Click Edit
schema to make changes to the schema. If the current schema is of the Repository type, three options are available:

View schema: choose this option to view the schema only.
Change to built-in property: choose this option to change the schema to Built-in for local changes.
Update repository connection: choose this option to change the schema stored in the repository and decide whether to propagate the changes to all the Jobs upon completion.

If you just want to propagate the changes to the current Job, you can select No upon completion and choose this schema metadata again in the Repository Content window.

Click Sync columns to retrieve
the schema from the previous component connected in the Job.

Built-in: The schema will be created and stored locally for this component only. For more information about a component schema in its Basic settings tab, see Basic settings tab.
Repository: The schema already exists and is stored in the Repository, hence can be reused in various projects and Job flowcharts. For more information about a component schema in its Basic settings tab, see Basic settings tab.

| | File Name | Name or path to the file to be processed and/or the variable to be
used.

For further information about how to define and use a variable in a Job, see [Using contexts and variables](https://help.qlik.com/talend/r/en-US/8.0/studio-user-guide/contexts-and-variables). | | Field Separator | Type in a character, a string, or a regular expression to
separate fields. | | Criteria | Click the plus button to add as many lines as required for the
sort to be complete. By default, the first column defined in your schema is
selected.

Schema column: Select the column label from your schema, which the sort will be based on. Note that the order is essential as it determines the sorting priority.
Sort type: Numerical and alphabetical order are proposed.
Order: Ascending or descending order.

| | Maximum memory | Type in the size of physical memory you want to allocate to sort
processing. | | Temporary directory | Specify the temporary directory to process the sorting
command. | | Set temporary input file directory | Select the check box to activate the field in which you can
specify the directory to handle your temporary input file. | | External command "sort" path | Enter the path to the external file containing the sorting
algorithm to use. | | Add a dummy EOF line | Select this check box when using the tAggregateSortedRow component. | | Create directory only if does not exist | Select this option to have the temporary directories created if the
directories do not exist. | ## Advanced settings | Properties | Description | | --- | --- | | tStatCatcher Statistics | Select this check box to gather the Job processing metadata at the
Job level as well as at each component level. | ## Global Variables | Variables | Description | | --- | --- | | Global Variables | ERROR\_MESSAGE: the error message generated by the
component when an error occurs. This is an After variable and it returns a string. This
variable functions only if the Die on error checkbox is
cleared, if the component has this checkbox.

NB\_LINE: the number
of rows read by an input component or transferred to an output component. This is an
After variable and it returns an integer.

A Flow variable functions during the execution of a component
while an After variable functions after the execution of the component.

To fill up a field or expression with a variable, press Ctrl+Space to access the variable list and choose the variable to use from
it.

For more information about variables, see [Using contexts and variables](https://help.qlik.com/talend/r/en-US/8.0/studio-user-guide/contexts-and-variables). | ## Usage | Usage guidance | Description | | --- | --- | | **Usage rule** | This component handles flow of data therefore it requires input
and output, hence is defined as an intermediary step. |