Severe error handling

If your dialog finds a severe error when it calls a dialog service, the error is handled as requested by the dialog. The current CONTROL service ERRORS setting, CANCEL or RETURN, determines what is done. If CANCEL is in effect, you can choose whether to continue dialog testing when the Error Message panel is displayed.

Note: If you choose not to continue dialog testing, you return to the ISPF Primary Option Menu. The TEST and TRACE options set by dialog test are restored to the values originally established during dialog manager start-up. Optionally, by making the appropriate selection on the ISPF Settings panel, the facilities established by dialog test will remain in effect after the last dialog test session terminates.

If you find a severe error when manipulating your dialog at a breakpoint, Dialog Test assumes that the CONTROL service ERRORS setting is CANCEL. For example, if you display a panel at a breakpoint and that panel is not found, the Error Message panel is displayed. This occurs even if your current dialog has an ERRORS setting of RETURN.

Regardless of the ERRORS setting, all your severe errors are logged.

If Dialog Test finds a severe error during its processing, the details are logged and this message is shown to you on an error message display:

Test severe error
Details precede this message in the ISPF log

Dialog Test errors can occur because:

Proper ISPF libraries are not being used.
A programming problem has been found.
You have attempted to process Dialog Test.
You have called a Dialog Test option without being in test mode or without calling Dialog Test first.

Browse the ISPF log to find the problem; see Log (option 7.5) for more information.