Descriptor code descriptions

Descriptor codes indicate the significance of a message. Specifically, descriptor codes let the user know the status of the system itself or that of a specific task:

Has it stopped processing?
Is it waiting for another action to be completed?
Or, is it continuing to process?

In addition, this code determines how the system displays and delete the message.

Code: Description
1: System Failure
The message indicates an unrecoverable error. To continue, the operator must reIPL the system or restart a major subsystem.
2: Immediate Action Required
The message indicates that the operator must perform an action immediately. The message issuer can be in a wait state until the action is performed, or the system needs the action as soon as possible to improve performance. The task waits for the operator to complete the action.

Note: When an authorized program issues a message with descriptor code 2, a DOM macro instruction must be issued to delete the message after the requested action is performed.
4: System Status
The message indicates the status of a system task or of a hardware unit.
5: Immediate Command Response
The message is issued as an immediate response to a system command. The response does not depend on another system action or task.
6: Job Status
The message indicates the status of a job or job step.
11: Critical Eventual Action Required
The message indicates that the operator must perform an action eventually, and the action is important enough for the message to remain on the display screen until the action is completed. The task does not wait for the operator to complete the action.

Note: Some RACF® messages list a destination containing a descriptor code, but indicate that no routing codes are specified for the message. These messages are issued with a command and response token (CART) and console id (CONSID) to direct them to a specific console.