Example 1

Assume two files must be reconciled – a check register and a bank statement. The check register file includes the account number, check number, check date, check amount, and payee for each check. The bank statement file includes the bank name, account number, date received, check number, check amount, and check date.

We instruct the Reconciliation facility to identify the check number as the key because this number exists uniquely in both files. The two files are then sorted by check number. The check amount and check date are retained as additional information.

The preparation stage is performed using the WRITE function. The WRITE function is used when the two files being compared are in different formats (for example, have different record layouts).