message files 1

[LUEBBKEVIN]

I've not used a message file before for my error messages in a display for an interactive application. I know how to create one but how do I edit/add to it? DBU and DFU won't work. Since I use CRTMSGF there doesn't appear to be any associated dds with it.
Anybody have any experience using them? ANY tips etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Try WRKMSGF. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[khood]

For a complete list of message file commands, use "GO CMDMSGF". GO CMDXXX (XXX being the 3 or 4 character command abbrev.) is great for listing any commands related to particular as/400 functions.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

There is also a tool written by Brad Stone (

http://www.bvstools.com)

that deals with message files. I don't recall what it was called off hand, but it works slick! Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[LUEBBKEVIN]

Just one more quick question that I can't really find a definitive answer.
Are message files used solely in display files or can message files be also used in regular RPG batch programs? I want to eliminate the need for adding a table for error messages. In this shop, almost every program has a set of error messages in a table. Most messages are common messages that could be standardized and pulled from a message file.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Yes, in a previous shop I was in, all errors where done that way. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[LUEBBKEVIN]

so I should be able to chain to the message file (I'm assuming using MSGID as the key) and pull out the MSGD from the message file?

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

I think you need to use an API. I honestly don't remeber. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[khood]

Luebbkevin,

I call a standard CL program with parms for MSGID, PGMSGQ (program message queue), and MSGDTA. The CL program does a SNDPGMMSG command to the program queue. The PGMSGQ is obtained from the SDS (first 10 characters) within the RPG program. Works like a charm & makes it easy to conform to a standard messaging system.