I am trying to join to files with dramatically different sizes (file 1: 1 column - 9000 rows, file 2: 13 cols, 26 million rows). I can't seem to get join to work. I have check to ensure that there are matches and have tried subsamples that work. The -a filenum flag lists all the rows, so join is indeed doing something. Is there a reason that disproportionate files will not join?
Cheers!

If both files are sorted in the same collating sequence and the same direction for the key fields, you do get output regardless of a disparity in size.

If there is no match for an item in file1, you get no output.

Is there a possibility of producing cartesian products in the result set?
What status code does join return?

Right, so my files are sorted in (numerical ) order on the field that is being joined (1). The result of the join is 0. That is:
It seems that the file size difference is responsible, but I can't explain why. Or perhaps there is some other reason.
Cheers!

For successful execution of join commd make sure the length of the
field are same on which you want to join both the file
say for exmp . if the first file is having the lenght 8 digit make sure the
second file too have 8 digit for that use %.8d hence the field will have
eight digit and if any particular record have six digit that will be read like
00123456 and like wise and you can join both the file regardless of the
numbers of records. You may give example for more details. I hope I have
made it clear .

Hi.

If you are still having trouble, then post the smallest sample -- including data, commands, and results -- that fails for you so that we can provide specific help ... cheers, drl