The error messages issued by the Compiler 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 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.