Message format

The CICS PA messages begin with a unique message identifier, followed by message text which might contain variable information to identify the particular circumstance which caused the message.

The message identifier has the format CPAnnnnx where:
CPA
The program identifier identifies the message as a CICS PA message. All CICS PA messages begin with CPA.
nnnn
The message identification number is a four-digit number that uniquely identifies each message.
x
The severity level is a letter that indicates the return code (see Return codes), the purpose of the message, and the type of response required.
The severity levels, from least to most severe, are:
I
Information. No action is required.
W
Warning. CICS PA has detected a possible error condition that the user should evaluate.
E
Error. User action is required before CICS PA can continue processing.
S
Severe. CICS PA processing is suspended until action has been taken.

All batch command processing error messages have the same general format for the Message Text as follows:

Severity Prefix Operand Data General Error Text Specific Error Text Source Text
Warning or Severe Operand in error General error description Specific error description User input in error
The parts of the message are printed in the order shown in the diagram. Not all parts are present in every message. At least the general or specific text is present to describe the error.
Severity Prefix
The first part of the message indicates whether the message is a warning message or a message which denotes a severe error. A warning is indicated by:
** Possible Error **

A warning is issued for conditions that do not prevent report program execution. However, you should analyze all warning messages to determine if the conditions cited affect the expected results. Warning messages are not printed if PARM NOINFOMSGS has been specified.

A severe command error is indicated by one of two prefixes:
** Command Error ***
 
** Error During Scan ***

These messages are printed even if PARM NOINFOMSGS was specified. Most severe command errors cause a severe error flag to be set. At the end of command input processing, this flag is tested. If the flag tests true, no record processors are run. CICS PA terminates at this point with a condition code of 16. To continue processing, you must correct the commands in error and resubmit the job.

Operand Data
If the error is associated with a recognizable operand, the operand is printed after the prefix. This part of the message is usually present. It is omitted when a recognizable operand cannot be associated with the error.
General Error Text
This describes the general nature of the error. It includes descriptive text appropriate for errors that can occur on any command; for example, a missing operand or label. This part of the message is usually present. It is omitted when the error is unique to the command being processed.
Specific Error Text
This is inserted by the individual command processor. It describes a condition unique to the command in error. Specific text might be provided in addition to the general text described previously to further clarify the error description. It can also be provided without general text, when the error condition is unique and the general text is inappropriate.
Source Text
This identifies the portion of the command input found to be in error during analysis. This part of the message is usually present.

Example:

If CICSPA LIST(PUTPUT(LIST0001) was coded when CICSPA LIST(OUTPUT(LIST0001) was intended, CICS PA provides the following message:
CPA0015E ** Command Error *** LIST Operand not recognized -
valid values are: listed in the User's Guide.
The suboperand is: PUTPUT(

This message indicates a severe error that must be corrected to continue report processing. The command contains a suboperand (PUTPUT) that is not recognized by the CICS PA command processor as a valid LIST operand. Correct the command by supplying valid values as defined by the specific error text. In this case, the specific error text directs you to this book. See Using the CICS PA commands which describes all the commands and operands.

The message above contains all five message parts:
Message Part
Text
Severity prefix
** Command Error ***
Operand data
LIST
General error text
Operand not recognized - valid values are:
Specific error text
listed in the User's Guide. The suboperand is:
Source text
PUTPUT(