Hi Mike. So it would appear. I haven't had a chance to go through the replies yet but, in answer to your question my input data set contains:
field1 other_fields I can SORT UNIQ on field1 to get one example of each field1 in my output data. What I actually need is multiple examples, up to N, should they exist within the input data. So that given N=2 and the input: aaa 1 aaa 2 aaa 3 bbb 1 bbb 2 ccc 1 my output would be: aaa 1 aaa 2 bbb 1 bbb 2 ccc 1 (The order is not important, nor by extension does it matter is its the first or last N.) i ------ Original Message ------ Received: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:03:25 PM GMT From: Mike Walter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: UNIQUE n > On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 12:23 AM, Ian S. Worthington > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I need a way to do something like a SORT UNIQ but extracting n records > not > > just the first/last one. > > > > I reckon I can do it with LOOKUP with a DROP n in the "add to" path. Is > there > > an easier way? > > Ian, > > Based on the various example posted so far, it seems that there are > "unique" and "multiple" ways to interpret your request for help. > > Perhaps a short example of your record input stream and desired output > might yield more specific replies? > > Mike Walter > Hewitt Associates > Any opinions expressed herein are mine alone and do not necessarily > represent the opinions or policies of Hewitt Associates. > > > > > The information contained in this e-mail and any accompanying documents may contain information that is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this message, including any attachments. Any dissemination, distribution or other use of the contents of this message by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. All messages sent to and from this e-mail address may be monitored as permitted by applicable law and regulations to ensure compliance with our internal policies and to protect our business. E-mails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, lost or destroyed, or contain viruses. You are deemed to have accepted these risks if you communicate with us by e-mail. >
