Some message texts have variable fields. These are fields that can contain different values depending on different situations. In this book variable fields are printed in lowercase italic type. In the following example, node-name is a variable field:

• BDT6318 node-name IS NOT A VALID SYSTEM ID

Some message texts have alternative fields. Under certain circumstances one field will appear and under other circumstances another field will appear. In this book alternative fields are enclosed in braces ({}) and are separated by an “or” bar (|). In the following example, ALLOCATION and UNALLOCATION are alternative fields:

• BDT6317 {ALLOCATION | UNALLOCATION} FAILED

Some message texts have optional fields. These are fields that appear in the message only under certain circumstances. In this book optional fields are enclosed in brackets ([]). In the following example, NOW is an optional field:

• BDT2867 SNA MANAGER IS [NOW] LOGGING TO ...