VGET error in REXX

Pedro · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:53 pm

I suppose that for rexx syntax errors, there will only be one condition that results in RC=8.

But for host command errors, there are any number of them that will set a RC=8. The errortext() function has no way to determine the context of the return code; it was not intended to do so.

Rather than errortext(), I recommend that you use sourceline(), like this:

niks_jude · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:40 pm

I used the sourceline(sigl) idea as suggested by Pedro and I could see this now, so the problem was using errortext() where it was not meant to be used.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:04 am

somebody in Your organization should also consider that
for PANEL fields there is no need for the VGET,
the values are available by design of the ISPF REXX interface

niks_jude · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:18 am

Ok I removed the VGETs totally and it worked fine and also did give the correct results, thanks........

While reading the manual, I could not get what advantage we get from putting things in different pools, which is the purpose of VGET. Or its use more complicated than what we generally think of - getting variables from panel (which now to me does not look to be the use). If you can provide a practical example where its use is required.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:34 am

a VPUT to the profile will keep the values across <logoff/logon>

apart that case and when required by <interfaced> appls and ISPF itself
I never had the need to use vget and vput

niks_jude · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:14 am

thanks.....at least now most of the times we do not have to worry about VGET and VPUT.

don.leahy · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:49 pm

Our esteemed colleague Jim Moore authored an excellent 3 part article on the topic of ISPF variable pools. See

The links provided don't seem to like being linked to from here, so...
Google for schlabb 741 01025.pdf, 01026.pdf and 01027.pdf.

Nic Clouston · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:51 pm

I couldn't get to these documents via those links - they redirect to some bozo website. However, googling 'Schlabb' very quickly led me to the correct place.