AmigaOS Manual: ARexx Error Messages

When the ARexx interpreter detects an error in a program, it returns an error code to indicate the nature of the problem. Errors are normally handled by displaying the error code, the source line number where the error occurred and a brief message explaining the error condition. Unless the SYNTAX interrupt has been previously enabled (using the SIGNAL instruction), the program then terminates and control returns to the caller. Most syntax and execution errors can be trapped by the SYNTAX interrupt, allowing the user to retain and perform whatever special error processing is required. Certain errors are generated outside of the context of an ARexx program and therefore cannot be trapped by this mechanism. Refer to Chapter 6 for further information on error trapping and processing.

Each error code is associated with a severity level that is reported to the calling program as the primary result code. The values of these results codes are 5 (least serious), 10 (moderately serious), and 20 (very serious). The error code itself is returned as the secondary result. The subsequent propagation or reporting of these codes is dependent on the external (calling) program.

The following pages list all of the currently-defined error codes, along with the associated result code and message strings.

Table A-1. Error Codes and Messages

Error	Result Code	Message	Explanation
1	5	Program not found	The named program could not be found or was not an ARexx program. ARexx program are expected to start with a comment (/*...*/). This error is detected by the external interface and cannot be trapped by the SYNTAX interrupt.