Planning your check messages

If you've used IBM Health Checker for z/OS, you know that the messages issued by the check are the most important part of the check, because they notify installations of potential problems and suggested fixes for those problems.

You can issue several types of messages in your check routine. Use the following sections to plan for the types of messages your check will issue:

In addition, the system issues predefined environment and parameter error when a check issues the HZSFMSG REQUEST=STOP service after finding a parameter or environmental error that prevents the check from running. You do not have to define these messages in your message table - when you issue the HZSFMSG REQUEST=STOP service, the system issues an IBM® Health Checker for z/OS® HZS100xE error message. See The well-behaved local check routine - recommendations and recovery considerations and Recommendations and recovery considerations for remote checks for information.

The system also issues parameter parser error messages - see the HZSFMSG REASON=PARSnnnn parameters in HZSFMSG macro — Issue a formatted check message.

You must decide the following when planning your messages: