Origin of IBM message codes
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2018 2:26 am
Why every message is prefixed with a message id code (eg: IEF125I)?
I have seen the same convention in other software that has mainframe roots, such as IBM TSM and HDS HORCM, and was always interested in this question.
What is the original idea behind these message codes? The most obvious suggestion is probably to enable the user
to find every message in the documentation, but is it really the case? Maybe there is some interesting historical background behind these message codes?
Indeed, if the entire message text is printed along with the message id, the latter is completely redundant.
It's interesting that TSO messages are not prefixed with message ids.
I have seen the same convention in other software that has mainframe roots, such as IBM TSM and HDS HORCM, and was always interested in this question.
What is the original idea behind these message codes? The most obvious suggestion is probably to enable the user
to find every message in the documentation, but is it really the case? Maybe there is some interesting historical background behind these message codes?
Indeed, if the entire message text is printed along with the message id, the latter is completely redundant.
It's interesting that TSO messages are not prefixed with message ids.