RM/COBOL file status codes take a 2-digit form in the file status data item (by combining the values of the Status Key 1 and Status Key 2 columns), or a 4-character or 11-character extended file status code that can be retrieved using the C$RERR standard library routine.
RM/COBOL file status codes are always returned when the FILETYPE=21 Compiler directive is in effect. If you set the DIALECT"RM" Compiler directive, this automatically sets FILETYPE=21, thus producing RM/COBOL file status codes.
If your program is set to return RM/COBOL file status codes, but does not use a file status, or does not have a Declaratives section acting upon your data file, file I/O errors are reported by the run-time system. The extended file status reported may initially seem incorrect, but due to differences in the file handling of the different COBOL systems, the second byte of the reported error code needs to be converted from binary to ASCII. For example, if an error of 9/051 is reported, convert 051 to its ASCII character equivalent, which is 3 (0x33 in hexadecimal); therefore, the true RM/COBOL file status is actually 93.
| Status Key 1 | Status Key 2 | Extended File Status Code | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 9/013 | File not found. |
| 3 | 5 | 9/188 | Filename too large. |
| 3 | 7 | 9/035 | Incorrect access permission. |
| 3 | 7 | 9/037 | File access denied. |
| 3 | 8 | 9/138 | File is closed with lock - cannot open. |
| 3 | 8 | 9/210 | File is closed with lock. |
| 4 | 1 | 9/141 | File already open - cannot be opened. |
| 4 | 2 | 9/142 | File not open - cannot be closed. |
| 4 | 3 | 9/143 | REWRITE/DELETE not after successful READ |
| 4 | 6 | 9/146 | No current record defined for sequential read. |
| 4 | 7 | 9/147 | Wrong open or access mode for READ/ START. |
| 4 | 8 | 9/148 | Wrong open or access mode for WRITE. |
| 4 | 9 | 9/149 | Wrong open or access mode for REWRITE/ DELETE. |
| 9 | 3 | 9/065 | File locked. |
| 9 | 8 | 9/071 | Bad indexed file format. |
| 9 | 8 | 9/139 | Record length or key inconsistent. |
| 9 | 9 | 9/068 | Record is locked. |