The input message file is a standard ASCII file that contains three types of lines:
Comment Lines
Comment lines are allowed anywhere in the input message file, except between the component identifier and the first message. Comment lines must begin with a semicolon (;) in the first column.
In the Input Message File Example, the comment lines are
; This is a sample of an input; message file for component DOS ; starting with three comment lines.
Component Identifier Line
The component-identifier line contains a three-character name identifier that precedes all MKMSGF message numbers.
In the example, the component identifier is DOS.
Component-Message Lines
Each component-message line consists of a message header and an ASCII text message.
The message header is comprised of the following parts:
The following message types are used:
Type
The message header must begin in the first column of the line. Only one header can precede the text of a message, although a message can span multiple lines.
Message numbers can start at any number, but messages must be numbered sequentially. If you do not use a message number, you must insert an empty entry in its place in the text file. An empty entry consists of the message number, with ? as the message type, and no text.
The character % has a special meaning when used within the text of a message:
%0 is placed at the end of a prompt (type P) to prevent DosGetMessage from executing a carriage return and line feed. This allows the user to be prompted for input on the same line as the message text.
%1 - %9 are used to identify variable string insertion within the text of a message. These variables correspond to the Itable and IvCount parameters in the DosGetMessage call.
Component-Message Example
For example, DOS0100E: is DOS error message 100. For additional examples, see the Input Message File Example.