A fullword, set by the exit, that contains the severity code the assembler uses to determine which diagnostic message to issue.

The severity code is meant to have a value of 0, 4, 8, 12, or 16. If the severity code is not one of these values, it is rounded up to the nearest permitted value or, if the severity code is greater than 16, it is reset to 16.

The values 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 correspond to the five diagnostic messages, ASMA700I through ASMA704C. For example, severity code of 4 causes the assembler to issue message ASMA701W. Table 1 summarizes the return code values and the associated diagnostic message.