How to get messages

When a message data set is required, but neither a SYSOUT DD statement nor an alternative message data set ddname is provided, DFSORT can either terminate or continue. Using the defaults with which it was delivered, DFSORT issues message ICE158A to the console, and terminates with either a return code of 20 or a user abend code of 158 (depending on the ERET, ABEND, or NOABEND option in effect at run-time). You can change the installation default value with the NOMSGDD installation option to allow DFSORT to continue even when a required message data set is not supplied.

If you do not receive any DFSORT messages, make sure that you supply a message data set, and resubmit your job using a SORTDIAG DD statement with a DUMMY parameter. The SORTDIAG DD statement specifies that all messages, including diagnostic messages (ICE800I through ICE999I), and control statements be printed.

You can provide either a SYSOUT DD statement or a DDNAME DD statement (where DDNAME is the alternate message data set ddname specified at installation or execution time with MSGDDN=ddname).

For example:

//SORTDIAG DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=A

If you use a temporary or permanent message data set, it is best to specify a disposition of MOD to ensure you see all messages and control statements in the message data set. For example:

//SYSOUT DD DSN=&MSG,DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(CYL,(2,2)),UNIT=SYSDA