Descriptor codes describe the kind of message being issued.
These codes, with message routing codes, determine how a message is
to be printed or displayed and how a message is to be deleted from
a display device. Descriptor codes 1 – 7 are mutually exclusive; only
one such code is assigned to a message. Descriptor codes 8 – 10 can
be displayed with any other descriptor codes.
The following descriptor codes are used in IP messages:
- Code
- Meaning
- 1
- System Failure: This message indicates that an error that
cannot be corrected occurs. To continue, the operator must restart
the system.
- 2
- Immediate Action Required: This message requires an immediate
action by the operator. The action is required because the message
issuer is in a wait state until the action is taken, or because system
performance is degraded until the action is taken.
- 3
- Eventual Action Required: This message requires an eventual
action by the operator. The task does not await completion of the
action.
- 4
- System Status: This message indicates the status of a system
task or of a hardware unit.
- 5
- Immediate Command Response: This message is issued as an
immediate response to a system command. The completion of the response
is not dependent on another system action or task.
- 6
- Job Status: This message contains status information regarding
the job or job step.
- 7
- Application Program/Processor: This message is issued when
a program is in problem mode.
- 8
- Out-of-Line Message: This message is one of a group of
messages to be displayed out of line. If the device support cannot
print a message out of line, the code is ignored, and the message
is printed in line with other messages.
- 9
- Request of the Operator: This message is written in response
to a request of the operator for information by the DEVSERV, MONITOR
commands, and other operating system commands.
- 10
- This message is issued in response to a TRACK command.
- 11
- Critical Eventual Action Required: This message indicates
that a critical event has occurred and must eventually be followed
by an action. The message remains on the screen until the action is
taken.
- 12
- Important Information: This message contains important
information that must be displayed at the console, but does not require
any action in response.
- 13–16
- Reserved.