Introduction to IBM i Message Handling

IBM i provides a robust message handling system to communicate system events, errors, and user interactions. Understanding how to read and manage these messages is essential for ensuring smooth operations and troubleshooting issues effectively.

In this blog, we’ll explore how messages work in IBM i, how to read message queues, and handle common system messages.

Key Concepts of IBM i Message Handling

• Message Queues: Storage locations for system-generated or user-generated messages.
• Message Types: Informational, Inquiry, Escape, and Diagnostic messages.
• Message Logs: System logs that record events and messages.
• Handling Messages: Reading, replying, and clearing messages from queues.

Understanding Message Queues

A message queue is a temporary storage area where IBM i messages are sent. There are different types of message queues, including:

• QSYSOPR (System Operator Message Queue): Stores system-wide messages, errors, and alerts.
• User Message Queues: Each user profile has a message queue for personal messages.
• Job Message Queues: Stores messages related to active jobs.

Viewing Messages in IBM i

You can view messages using IBM Navigator for i, IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS), or command-line commands.

Viewing Messages in QSYSOPR (System Operator Message Queue)

To check messages in QSYSOPR, use:

DSPMSG QSYSOPR

This command displays all pending system messages.

Viewing User Message Queue

To see messages for a specific user:

DSPMSG <USER>

Replace <USER> with the actual user profile name.

Viewing Job Messages

To view messages related to a specific job:

DSPJOBLOG JOB(<JOB_NAME>)

This displays messages associated with the specified job.

Common Message Types

IBM i messages can be categorized into different types:

• Informational Messages (INFO): Do not require any action.
• Inquiry Messages (INQ): Require a response from the user or administrator.
• Escape Messages (ESC): Indicate serious errors that cause program termination.
• Diagnostic Messages (DIA): Provide details about system or application errors.

Responding to Messages

When an inquiry message is received, a response is required. You can reply to messages using:

DSPMSG QSYSOPR

Select the message and enter the response manually.

Or use the Reply to Message (SNDMSG) command:

SNDMSG MSG('Your response') TOUSR(QSYSOPR)

This sends a response to the system operator message queue.

Clearing Messages

To remove old messages from a queue, use:

CLRMSGQ QSYSOPR

This clears all messages from the system operator queue.

Reviewing System Logs

System logs record messages and system events, which are useful for troubleshooting.

Viewing the History Log

The history log records system activities and important messages. Use:

DSPLOG

This displays a chronological list of system events.

Viewing Job Logs

To check logs for a specific job:

DSPJOBLOG JOB(<JOB_NAME>)

Conclusion

Understanding IBM i message handling is essential for system administrators and users to monitor and troubleshoot issues effectively. By learning to read message queues and respond to system messages, you can ensure efficient system management.