Re: Hint for finding a message ID in QCPFMSG

[Scott Klement <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Patrik,

It depends on why you're using QCPFMSG?   Typically, this is meant for 
IBM's use for operating system messages.  I suppose if your goal is to 
exactly duplicate what IBM does, it might make sense to use it.

If so... one way to search it is to run the following:

DSPMSGD RANGE(*ALL) MSGF(QSYS/QCPFMSG) OUTPUT(*PRINT)

This generates a spooled file.  Copy that spooled file to a file and 
download it to your PC, then you can search that file on your PC anytime 
you want to find something.

As Barbara pointed out, a better alternative might be to create your own 
message file with its own message descriptions.  (This is what we do in 
our commercial software, for example.)  This allows people to monitor 
for your messages separately from the IBM messages, allows you to 
control how things are phrased, and you don't have to worry about IBM 
changing things in the next release, or how that'd affect your 
application.   This is done easily with the CRTMSGF and ADDMSGD commands.

FWIW, the file is named QCPFMSG because CPF stood for "Control Program 
Facility" -- the operating system of the IBM System/38. That OS evolved 
into OS/400, then i5/OS and finally today's IBM i, but they never 
changed the name of the message file. :-)

Good Luck,

-SK


On 9/9/2021 3:27 PM, Patrik Schindler wrote:
> Hello,
>
> QCPFMSG has a considerable amount of messages. Finding something to use in my own programs is more annoying than finding a needle in a haystack. With the needle, I can use a magnet which might help a bit…
>
> Is there any particular grouping of messages (similar IDs) documented somewhere?
>
> At the moment, I'm searching for a message to properly output %status back to the user in IBM fashion. ;-) Any hints which to use?
>
> Thanks!
>
> :wq! PoC