SORT uses two disk files when disk or ITD sorts are requested: a control file to store the control records and a work file to store the data or records being sorted. The internal name for the control file is DISKC, and the title is SORT/DISKC. The internal name for the work file is DISKF, and the title is SORT/DISKF.

SORT uses between 3 and 8 tape files when ITD or tape-only sorts are requested.