Method of facilitating computer sorting

Claim 1

A machine method of generating a language dependent sortkey, to facilitate the alphabetical sorting of another alphabet using a common sorting routine, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing in a master file encoded words, formed from characters each having a preselected value, to be sorted; (b) providing a language dependent data file having an alphanumerical encoding table for the language of said another alphabet, the table including an encoding indicator, a first sort order entry and a second sort order entry; (c) comparing said value of a character from one of the encoded words in the master file against the alphanumerical encoding table to determine its corresponding entry; (d) retrieving the encoding indicator from said table, corresponding to said corresponding entry, which indicates if the encoding process will be a one-to-one character encoding, a one-to-two character encoding, or an ignore character encoding; (e) if the encoding indicator indicates the encoding is one-to one, utilizing the value in the first sort order entry, for said sortkey; (f) if the encoding indicator indicates that the encoding is one-to-two, utilizing the values in both the first sort order entry and the second sort order entry, for said sortkey; and (g) if the encoding indicator indicates that the encoding is an ignore encoding, ignoring any values for said sortkey; and repeating from step (c) for each of the characters in the master file.