[mod.computers.vax] VMS error message files, decompiling

js@UW-JUNE.ARPA (Joe Meadows) (03/21/86)

 Last summer after I finished with Verb, I attacked the Error message
 files, and wote a program to generate Source code which could then
 be modified and used to regenerate the Error message file. I had
 originally intended to use it to figure out what number was associated
 with a particular message (I wanted to call SYS$EXIT and have an
 appropriate error message appear). Because of the some of the information
 not being in the error message file I wasn't exactly able to do what I
 wanted, (I couldn't get the name of the original symbol, i.e. nowhere
 was the word SYS$_NORMAL to be found, actually though, for the most
 part, the IDENT's match the symbol name, except where the original
 source had it's own IDENT..  ButI stray..)
	Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone was interested in
 a copy of this program. If nothing else, it's fun to go in and
 change SYS$MESSAGE:SYSMSG (Is that the one? Its been a while..)
 So that you get (a) completely erroneous error message (great gag
 for some poor sap), (b) A bit freindlier error message, or
 (c) Valley girl error messages...
	Actually, all I ever use it for is for finding that perfect error
 message to use when exiting a program (I'm lazy, why write my own?).
	If there's enough interest I'll post the sources (after
 I check to see if I used Tabs...)


	Anyway, I'm glad to see that VERB seems to have made it out
 and for the most part intact. If you didn't recieve a copy mail
 me a note and I'll mail it to you.

	By the way, I've always wondered, what constitutes
 "Enough interest" ? How many request does it take before it
 becomes "postable"? I suppose I should find the 'netiquette' manual
 somewhere and see if it says..

	Cheers.
	Joe Meadows Jr.
	(js@uw-june   am I supposed to know more of the path name than that?)