VAX/VMS System Messages and Recovery Procedures Manual

This document is the VAX/VMS System Messages and Recovery Procedures Manual, revised in March 1980 for VAX/VMS Version 02.

Its primary purpose is to:

1. List system messages generated by the VAX/VMS operating system.
2. Provide explanations for each message.
3. Suggest recovery procedures to resolve the errors indicated by the messages.

The manual is intended for all VAX/VMS users, including applications programmers, system programmers, operators, and system managers.

Key contents and structure include:

• Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Explains how system messages are displayed, including the use of logical names like SYS$OUTPUT and SYS$ERROR.
  • Describes "linked messages" and "exception conditions."
  • Details the standard format of VAX/VMS system messages (%FACILITY-L-IDENT, TEXT), defining each component.
  • Outlines different severity levels (Success, Information, Warning, Error, Fatal) and what they imply.
  • Provides general recovery procedures for common error types: command entry errors, unavailable resources, programming errors, and system software/hardware issues, indicating when system operator or manager intervention is required.

• Chapter 2: Messages

  • This is the main body, listing messages alphabetically by a unique message code abbreviation (e.g., ABEND, ACCVIO, BADFIL). Each entry includes the message text, the "Facility" (the VAX/VMS component or language that issues the message), an "Explanation" of the message, and "User Action" (suggested steps for recovery or resolution).

• Appendix A: Error Codes

  • Contains tables listing RSX-11 File Control Services Error Codes and System Directive Error Codes, which can be referenced for more detail on certain RMS messages.

The document explicitly notes that messages from specific VAX-11 utilities (such as DEBUG, DSC, LINK, MAIL, MACRO, SORT, UETP, and VFY) are covered in separate, dedicated manuals and are not included in this one.