# ms (mask alter sort) processing code

The ms processing code alters the normal
sort sequence of characters.

| System Processors | Select, Update, List |
| --- | --- |
| Code Type | Attribute Defining |
| Dictionary Attributes | Correlative |

## Syntax

```
ms
```

## Description

The ms processing
code sorts an attribute in a sequence specified by the item called
seq in the messages file. This is only used on an attribute defined
as a sort key; therefore this code must be applied as a correlative
(attribute 8) and is not available for use in FlashBASIC.

The
seq item must be manually added to the messages file using the suggested
format:

| seq | (item-ID) |
| --- | --- |
| 001 | !"#$%&’()*+,-./0123456789:;?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_‘abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{\|}~ |

## See also

- [o (sort values ascending) processing code](https://d3codex.com/processingcodes/o-sort-values-ascending-processing-code/)
- [output-conversion](https://d3codex.com/attributedefiningitem/output-conversion/)
- [Processing codes overview](https://d3codex.com/processingcodes/processing-codes-overview/)
- [Processing codes](https://d3codex.com/processingcodes/processing-codes/)
- [seq](https://d3codex.com/definitions/seq/)
- [sort command](https://d3codex.com/access/sort-command/)
- [u1072 user exit](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/u1072-user-exit/)

---
Source: https://d3codex.com/processingcodes/ms-mask-alter-sort-processing-code/ - part of the D3Codex reference.