Condition representation for AMODE 64 applications

This topic describes the format and use of condition representation within Language Environment for AMODE 64 applications.

Conditions can be defined in a number of ways. Some examples are hardware- or software-detected events (which might or might not be critical for the application to run properly), asynchronous events, or the completion of a unit of work (successfully or unsuccessfully).

Systems communicate information about conditions in a variety of ways. Return and condition codes are examples of condition information. Also, common usage is almost nonexistent in representing or communicating these conditions across IBM® products or platforms. Therefore, Language Environment defines a consistent data type to represent conditions and communicate information about them to enable ILC and cross-system source code portability of applications.

The methodology presented here is required for the representation and communication of condition-related information:

As a feedback code (return information) from some Language Environment callable services
As input to the Language Environment condition manager
As input to the Language Environment message services