Explain the difference between an internal and an external sort, the pros and cons, internal sort syntax etc?

An external sort is not COBOL; it is performed through JCL and PGM=SORT. It is understandable without any code reference. An internal sort can use two different syntax’s:

1.) USING, GIVING sorts are comparable to external sorts with no extra file processing;

2) INPUT PROCEDURE, OUTPUT PROCEDURE sorts allow for data manipulation before and/or after the sort.