Error Codes Returned by the Compiler

The error messages the Compiler issues during the syntax checking and native code generation phases are classed according to their severity as follows:

Severity Return Value Description
Unrecoverable 16 Indicates a fatal error
Severe 12 Indicates an error that the Compiler was unable to correct. Compilation continues, but the statement at fault is not compiled
Error 8 Indicates an error which the Compiler has attempted to correct
Warning 4 Flags a statement that although is syntactically correct may contain a possible error
Informational See INFORETURN Draws your attention to something in your source code of which you should be aware

The Compiler returns a value to the operating system to show the most severe type of message it issued. If you invoked the Compiler from within a batch file, you can test this value using the windows batch IF ERRORLEVEL n command. This executes a specified command if the return value is n or higher.

For example, if your batch file contains:

cobol myprog;
if errorlevel 8 goto abortjob

then control jumps to ABORTJOB if the Compiler issues any message of severity Unrecoverable, Severe, or Error. See the Key to Syntax Checking Error Messages for further information on the severity of error messages.

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