Return codes in DBCTL
When DBCTL responds to CICS® with a return code, this can be an MVS system abend code, an IMS user abend code, or a DBCTL return code.
The
return code includes an indicator to help you determine what kind
of abend it is. The DBCTL return code (also known as the PAPLRETC)
displayed in the CICS trace
can contain:
- An MVS system abend code
- A user abend code (also known as a pseudo abend code)
- A DBCTL return code (also known as a DBCTL DRA return code)
The return code is 4 bytes long and is in the following
form:
If the top bit (bit 0 of the HH byte) is set: 
- either SSS is a nonzero hexadecimal return code, for example:
which indicates an MVS system abend code (as explained in z/OS MVS System Codes), 
- or UUU is a nonzero hexadecimal, for example:
which indicates a user abend code (as explained, for guidance, in the section on user abend codes in IMS messages and codes in IMS product documentation ).
If the top bit (bit 0 of the HH byte) is not set,
and the DBCTL return code in the CICS trace
is nonzero, then UUU is a DBCTL nonzero return code, for example: 
as explained, for guidance, in the DBCTL return codes section of IMS messages and codes in IMS product documentation .