OpenEdge displays several types of messages to inform you of routine and unusual occurrences:
Execution messages inform you of errors encountered while OpenEdge is running a procedure; for example, if OpenEdge cannot find a record with a specified index field value.
Compile messages inform you of errors found while OpenEdge is reading and analyzing a procedure before running it; for example, if a procedure references a table name that is not defined in the database.
Startup messages inform you of unusual conditions detected while OpenEdge is getting ready to execute; for example, if you entered an invalid startup parameter.
After displaying a message, OpenEdge proceeds in one of several ways:
Continues execution, subject to the error-processing actions that you specify or that are assumed as part of the procedure. This is the most common action taken after execution messages.
Returns to the OpenEdge Procedure Editor, so you can correct an error in a procedure. This is the usual action taken after compiler messages.
Halts processing of a procedure and returns immediately to the Procedure Editor. This does not happen often.
Terminates the current session.
OpenEdge messages end with a message number in parentheses. In this example, the message number is 200:
** Unknown table name table. (200)
If you encounter an error that terminates OpenEdge, note the message number before restarting.
Obtaining more information about OpenEdge messages
On Windows platforms, use OpenEdge online help to obtain more information about OpenEdge messages. Many OpenEdge tools include the following Help menu options to provide information about messages:
Choose Help→ Recent Messages to display detailed descriptions of the most recent OpenEdge message and all other messages returned in the current session.
Choose Help→ Messages and then enter the message number to display a description of a specific OpenEdge message.
In the Procedure Editor, press the help key (F2 or CTRL-W).
Execution messages inform you of errors encountered while OpenEdge is running a procedure; for example, if OpenEdge cannot find a record with a specified index field value.