The messages file contains messages used by system processes to convey information to the user.
errmsg
msgs
The item-IDs are the message numbers referenced by system processors.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| bnf | Used by the BASIC processor. |
| logon | Used by the Logon processor. |
| legend | Used by the Output processor. |
| newmd | Used to create new accounts. |
| seq | Used by the ms Correlative processor. |
| md | Used to change the master dictionary prompt. |
The items in the messages file use these codes to format messages in the output buffer before displaying them:
| ! | Any line of an error message that begins with an ! (exclamation point) is ignored by the message handler. This feature allows storing comments within the message. |
| a{(n)} | Inserts into the output buffer the next parameter from the list of parameters passed with the message. The parameter is left justified in a field of n spaces. |
| b | Rings the terminal bell. |
| c | Clears the terminal screen. |
| d | Places the current date in the output buffer. |
| e | Inserts the message number (item-ID in the messages file) into the output buffer. |
| hstring | Places a literal string in the output buffer, with no carriage return or line feed. |
| l{(n)} | Prints the output buffer, followed by n-1 blank lines. |
| r{(n)} | Inserts the next parameter right-justified in a field of n spaces. |
| s(n) | Inserts n spaces in the output buffer. |
| t | Places the current time in the output buffer. |
| x | Skips a parameter in the parameter list. |
The following example:
1202 001 HNeeds to start printers.
outputs:
Needs to start printers.
The following example:
781 001 H’ 002 A 003 H’ added
outputs:
bob added
where bob is passed into the error message handler by the process that triggers this message.
The following example:
B156 E Line A H illegal to ENTER a subroutine.
outputs:
[B156] Line ( number ) illegal to ENTER a subroutine.
where ( number ) is the actual program line number where the error occurred. Additional internal comments are not output.