Message elements

Each message includes a message ID, message text, and explanation text. Some messages also include action text when the user can take an action.

Message ID

It is a string of 10 alphanumeric characters that uniquely identifies the message. Each ID includes:

A 3-character product identifier
A 3-character component or subsystem identifier
A 3-digit serial or message number
A 1-character type code indicating the severity of the message

The severity code indicators are as follows:

Table 1. Severity code indicators
Severity code	Description
I	Informational message. The message provides information or feedback about normal events that have occurred or are occurring, but do not require you to take action. The message might also request that you provide information in instances where the outcome of the information you provide will not be negative.
W	Warning message. The message indicates that potentially undesirable conditions have occurred or could occur, but the program can continue. Warning messages might ask you to make a decision before processing continues.
E	Error message. The message indicates an error that requires an intervention or correction before the program can continue.

Message text

Explains the reason for the message and the possible causes of the message. If the message requires an action, the text contains also recommended steps that you can take to solve the problem.

Explanation

Contains additional information about the cause of the message.

Action

Describes what you must do to recover from the error, or to prevent a problem from occurring. The possible action types are as follows:

Table 2.
Action type	Description
System action	Describes the reaction of the system to the condition that caused it to display the message.
Operator response	Describes what response you might be able to take.
Administrator response	Describes what response a system administrator might be able to take.
Programmer response	Describes what response a system programmer might be able to take.