Messages, help and panel IDs
When something goes wrong on a panel you get a short message in the top-right corner. Press PF1 for the longer explanation, and PF1 again for help on the panel. Every mainframe message ID starts with a prefix that tells you which product sent it, which tells you where to look next.
Short message, long message, help
- A short message appears top right, for example
Invalid optionorData set not cataloged. - Press PF1 once and the long message explains what was wrong. In ISPF it also gives the message ID.
- Press PF1 again for the tutorial or help for the panel you are on.
Data Set Utility Data set not cataloged Option ===> I ... after pressing PF1: 'VSAHA1.WORK.JCL' was not found in catalog. Check the spelling, or add quotes if the name already has your prefix.
Panel IDs
In ISPF, the command PANELID switches on the display of each panel's internal name in the top-left corner (PANELID OFF hides it). Support people ask 'which panel are you on?' because the title can be customised but the ID is exact. It is also how you find the right page in documentation.
Reading a message ID
Mainframe messages usually start with an ID: a product prefix, a number, and often a letter at the end that shows severity. Learn the prefixes and you will know which part of the system is talking to you.
| Prefix | Usually comes from |
|---|---|
| IKJ | TSO |
| ISR, ISP | ISPF |
| IEF, IEC | z/OS job and data management (allocation, open and close) |
| $HASP | JES2, the job entry subsystem |
| ICH | RACF security |
| IDC | IDCAMS, the VSAM and catalog utility |
| DFH | CICS |
| DSN | DB2 |
| CEE | Language Environment, the run-time behind COBOL and PL/I |
| Common last letter | Typically means |
|---|---|
| I | Information: no action needed |
| W | Warning: worked, but check |
| E | Error: something failed |
| S | Severe: serious failure |
| A | Action: an operator must do something |
TSO's three asterisks
When a TSO command produces more output than fits on the screen, the last line shows ***. That means 'more to come'. Press Enter to see the next screen. Press PA1 if you want to stop the output.
A message starts with ICH. Which product sent it?
Show a hint
Look at the prefix table. It is the security product.
Show the solution
RACF. ICH messages come from RACF, for example ICH408I for an access violation.
Examples are for learning. Run commands and jobs only on a system you are authorised to use, such as a training or test system, and never on production without approval.
Common mistakes
The short message nearly always says what is wrong. Press PF1 if it is not clear.
Use the message ID. The text varies by release and site, but the ID is stable.
It just means more output. Press Enter to continue.
What you will see at work
- In incident tickets, always paste the full message ID and text. 'It gave an error' gets your ticket sent back to you.
- Switch PANELID on while you are learning. It makes it much easier to ask for help.
- Severity letters are a convention, not a law. Always read the message itself.
Key terms
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