VAX/VMS System Messages and Recovery Procedures Manual

This manual, published in August 1978, serves as a comprehensive guide to system messages generated by the VAX/VMS operating system. It aims to assist all users, including application programmers, system programmers, operators, and system managers, in understanding and responding to system messages.

The document details the standardized format of system messages, which includes a facility name, a severity level (Success, Information, Warning, Error, or Fatal/Severe), a message code, and explanatory text. It explains how messages are displayed and how linked messages provide additional context for complex errors.

A significant portion of the manual is dedicated to recovery procedures for various error types, such as command entry errors (syntax or file specification issues), unavailable system resources, and programming errors detected during image execution. For each message, the manual provides an explanation of the condition and suggests specific user actions to resolve the issue. It also includes guidance on reporting system software or hardware errors, directing users to consult associated manuals like the VAX/VMS System Manager's Guide or Operator's Guide for more in-depth troubleshooting. An appendix lists File Control Services error codes for reference.