Assigning message set numbers and message ID numbers

All message sets require a set number or symbolic identifier.

Use the $set directive in a source file to give a group of messages a number or identifier:

$set n [ comment ]

The message set number is specified by the value of n, a number between 1 and NL_SETMAX. Instead of a number, you can use a symbolic identifier. All messages following the $set directive are assigned to that set number until the next occurrence of a $set directive. The default set number is 1. Set numbers must be assigned in ascending order, but need not be in series. Empty sets are created for skipped numbers. However, large gaps in the number sequence can decrease efficiency and performance. Moreover, performance is not enhanced by using more than one set number in a catalog.

You can also include a comment in the $set directive, as follows:

$set 10  Communication Error Messages

$set OUTMSGS  Output Error Messages

Many AIX® message sets have a symbolic identifier of the form MS_PROG, where MS represents Message Set and PROG is the name of the program or utility related to the message set. For example:

$set MS_WC  Message Set for the wc Utility

$set MS_XLC1  Message Set 1 for the C For AIX compiler

$set MS_XLC2  Message Set 2 for the C For AIX compiler