Diagnosis file and user ABEND 3999

Use the diagnosis file to find the name of the failing CSECT.

The diagnosis file

When CICS® VR internal validity checking detects errors, diagnostic information is written to the CICS VR diagnosis file (DWWDUMP) before user abend code 3999 is issued.

Diagnostic information consists of message DWW0000T, which gives the name of the module in error and the reason for the exit, in two 8-byte character strings. You can use this information to build the keyword string for the problem type; see Using keywords to describe a problem for more information. CICS VR also writes a formatted version of the CICS VR trace table to the diagnosis file and snap dumps the data that it considers to be in error.

Locating the failing CSECT

Register 11 points to the failing CSECT when the error was detected. To locate this CSECT, retrace one more step along the save-area chain than for a user abend, using this procedure:
  1. Locate save area 1; the address is in register 13.
  2. Locate save area 2; the address is at offset X'4' from save area 1.
  3. Locate save area 3; the address is at offset X'4' from save area 2.
  4. Locate save area 4; the address is at offset X'4' from save area 3.
  5. Locate the address of the failing module at offset X'40' from save area 4. This failing module contains the contents of register 11 at the time the error condition was detected.

Determine the name and compilation date of the failing CSECT from this value, using the same procedure described in Finding the CSECT.

Finding the BIB

The address of the BIB is at offset X'48' from save area 2 or save area 3.

The first 3 characters of the BIB block are the identifier: 
   BIB
Figure 1. Finding the BIB after a 3999 ABEND
To find the BIB after a user 3999 abend, use register 13 that points to save area one. Offset X'4' of save area one points to save area two. Offset X'4' of save area two points to save area three. Offset X'4' of save area three points to save area four. Offset X'48' of save area two, three, and four points to the BIB. Offset X'440' of the BIB points to the trace table. Offset X'40' of save area four points to the module start address.

If CICS VR VSAM batch logging was enabled and your batch job received a 3999 condition code, see operator messages DWW251I-DWW260I, or DWW262I for more information on the reason for the termination. Take a backup of the sphere to ensure recoverability. See Detecting batch logging error conditionsCICS VR Implementation Guide and Reference for information on how to set up your batch jobs to automatically take a backup when a 3999 condition code is received.