Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS
Alpha and VAX Systems
User Manual
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This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Change the number of array subscripts. Reference the array using the correct number of dimensions, change the array so that it can be redimensioned, or change the array so that its lower bounds are zero in all of its dimensions.

MAXMEMEXC, Maximum memory exceeded (ERR=126)
Explanation: The program has insufficient string and I/O buffer space because: 1) its allowable memory size has been exceeded, or 2) the system's maximum memory capacity has been reached. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Reduce the amount of string or I/O buffer space, or split the program into two or more programs.

MEMMANVIO, Memory management violation (ERR=35)
Explanation: The program attempted to read or write to a memory location to which it was not allowed access. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: If the program was compiled with /NOCHECK, it may be exceeding an array bound; recompile with /CHECK. Otherwise, check program logic.

MISSPEFEA, Missing special feature (ERR=66)
Explanation: The program attempts to use an unavailable SYS call.
User Action: See the appropriate RSTS/E SYS call documentation.

MOVOVEBUF, Move overflows buffer (ERR=161)
Explanation: In a MOVE statement, the combined length of elements in the I/O list exceeds the size of the record just read or the size of the buffer.
User Action: Reduce the size of the I/O list or increase the file's RECORDSIZE.

NEGFILSTR, Negative fill or string length (ERR=166)
Explanation: A MOVE statement I/O list contains a FILL item or string length with a negative value.
User Action: Change the FILL item or string length value to be greater than or equal to zero.

NEGZERTAB, negative or zero TAB (ERR=176)
Explanation: The program attempted a zero or negative TAB. This error is signaled only for programs compiled with the /ANSI_STANDARD qualifier.
User Action: Change the argument to the TAB statement.

NETOPERR, network operation error (ERR=182)
Explanation: The program attempts to perform an invalid network operation, or the network software failed during a network operation.
User Action: Take action based on the associated error messages.

NODNAMERR, Node name error (ERR=175)
Explanation: A file specification's node name contains a syntax error.
User Action: Supply a valid node name.

NOTBASIC, Not a BASIC error (ERR=194)
Explanation: The error is not a BASIC error and is not mapped to an alternative BASIC error message.
User Action: Use RMSSTATUS or VMSSTATUS to access the text of the error message.

NOTENDFIL, Not at end of file (ERR=149)
Explanation: The program attempted a PUT operation: 1) on a sequential or relative file before the last record, or 2) without opening the file for WRITE access.
User Action: OPEN a sequential or relative file with ACCESS APPEND or OPEN the file with ACCESS WRITE.

NOTENOAVA, Not enough available memory (ERR=111)
Explanation: The program has exhausted its virtual space limits.
User Action: Raise the user PGFLQUOTA limit.

NOTENODAT, Not enough data in record (ERR=59)
Explanation: An INPUT statement did not find enough data in one line to satisfy all the specified variables.
User Action: Supply enough data in the record or reduce the number of specified variables.

NOTIMP, Not implemented (ERR=250)
Explanation: The program attempted to use a feature that does not exist in this version of BASIC, for example, TIME(4%).
User Action: Do not use the feature.

NOTRANACC, Not a random access device (ERR=64)
Explanation: The program attempts a random access on a device that does not allow such access, for example, a PUT with a record number to a magtape file.
User Action: Make the access sequential instead of random or use a suitable I/O device.

NO_CURREC, No current record (ERR=131)
Explanation: The program attempts a DELETE or UPDATE when the previous GET or FIND failed, or no previous GET or FIND was done.
User Action: Correct the cause of failure for the previous GET or FIND, or make sure a GET or FIND was done, then retry the operation.

NO_PRIKEY, No primary key specified (ERR=150)
Explanation: The program attempts to create an INDEXED file without specifying a PRIMARY KEY value.
User Action: Specify a PRIMARY KEY.

NO_ROOUSE, No room for user on device (ERR=4)
Explanation: No user storage space exists on the specified device.
User Action: Delete files that are no longer needed.

NUMCOOINS, Number of coordinates insufficient (ERR=281)
Explanation: Insufficient coordinates are provided. A GRAPH POINTS statement requires the coordinates for at least one point. A GRAPH LINES statement requires a minimum of two points. A GRAPH AREA statement requires a minimum of three points.
User Action: Supply an adequate number of points.

ONEOR_TWO, One or two dimensions only (ERR=102)
Explanation: The program contains a MAT statement that attempts to assign more than two dimensions to an array. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Change the number of dimensions in the MAT statement to one or two.

ON_STAOUT, ON statement out of range (ERR=58)
Explanation: The index value in an ON GOTO or ON GOSUB statement is less than one or greater than the number of line numbers in the list.
User Action: Check program logic to make sure that the index value is greater than or equal to one, and less than or equal to the number of line numbers in the ON GOTO or ON GOSUB statement.

OUTOF_DAT, Out of data (ERR=57)
Explanation: A READ statement requested additional data from an exhausted DATA list.
User Action: Remove the READ statement, reduce the number of variables in the READ statement, or supply more DATA items.

PRIKEYOUT, Primary key out of sequence (ERR=158)
Explanation: RMS has detected an error in a sequential PUT to an INDEXED file.
User Action: Change the PUT statement. If this does not work, the file is corrupted and you cannot do anything.

PRIUSIFOR, PRINT-USING format error (ERR=116)
Explanation: The program contains a PRINT USING statement with an invalid format string.
User Action: Change the PRINT USING format string.

PROC_TRA, Programmable ^C trap (ERR=28)
Explanation: A CTRL/C was typed at the controlling terminal.
User Action: None; however, you can trap this error with an error handler.

PROLOSSOR, Internal error in Alpha BASIC Run-Time Library. Please submit an SPR. (ERR=103)
Explanation: A consistency check in the BASIC run-time support failed. Program execution is aborted. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: This error should never occur. Submit a Software Performance Report.

PROVIO, Protection violation (ERR=10)
Explanation: The program attempted to read or write to a file whose protection code did not allow the operation.
User Action: Use a different file or change the file's protection code or the attempted operation.

RECALREXI, Record already exists (ERR=153)
Explanation: An attempted random access PUT on a relative file has encountered a pre-existing record.
User Action: Specify a different record number for the PUT or delete the record.

RECATTNOT, Record attributes not matched (ERR=228)
Explanation: A RECORDTYPE clause specifies record attributes that do not match those of the file.
User Action: Change the RECORDTYPE attribute to match that of the file.

RECBUCLOC, Record/bucket locked (ERR=154)
Explanation: The program attempts to access a record or bucket that has been locked by another program.
User Action: Retry the operation.

RECFILTOO, Record on file too big (ERR=157)
Explanation: The specified record is longer than the input buffer.
User Action: Increase the input buffer's size.

RECHASBEE, Record has been deleted (ERR=132)
Explanation: A record previously located by its Record File Address (RFA) has been deleted.
User Action: None.

RECNOTFOU, Record not found (ERR=155)
Explanation: A random access GET or FIND was attempted on a deleted or nonexistent record.
User Action: None.

RECNUMEXC, RECORD number exceeds maximum (ERR=147)
Explanation: The specified record number exceeds the maximum specified for this file.
User Action: Reduce the specified record number. The maximum record number cannot be specified in BASIC; it is either a default, or it was specified by a non BASIC program when the file was created.

RECOVEMAP, RECORDSIZE overflows MAP buffer (ERR=185)
Explanation: The OPEN statement specifies a RECORDSIZE value larger than the size of the MAP specified in the MAP clause. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Increase the size of the MAP to match the RECORDSIZE value.

REDARR, Redimensioned array (ERR=105)
Explanation: A MAT statement attempts to redimension an array to have more elements than were originally dimensioned.
User Action: Change the statement that attempts the redimension or increase the original number elements.

REMOVEBUF, REMAP overflows buffer (ERR=183)
Explanation: A REMAP statement causes the variables in the dynamic MAP to be associated with nonexistent storage.
User Action: Change the REMAP statement so that all variables are associated with the storage in the MAP.

REMSTRNOT, REMAP string is not static (ERR=196)
Explanation: The program referenced a string with a REMAP statement that was not declared in COMMON or MAP.
User Action: Declare the string in the COMMON or MAP statement.

RESNO_ERR, RESUME and no error (ERR=104)
Explanation: The program executes a RESUME statement without a line number outside of the error handling routine. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Check program logic to make sure that the RESUME statement is executed only in the error handler.

RETWITGOS, RETURN without GOSUB (ERR=72)
Explanation: The program executes a RETURN statement before a GOSUB. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Check program logic to make sure that RETURN statements are executed only in subroutines or remove the RETURN statement.

RRVNOTFUL, RRV not fully updated, (ERR=171)
Explanation: RMS wrote a record successfully, but did not update one or more Record Retrieval Vectors; therefore, you cannot retrieve any records associated with those vectors.
User Action: Delete the record and rewrite it.

SCAFACINT, SCALE factor interlock (ERR=127)
Explanation: A subprogram was compiled with a different SCALE factor than that of the calling program. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Recompile one of the programs with a scale factor that matches the other.

SIZRECINV, Size of record invalid (ERR=156)
Explanation: The program contains a COUNT or RECORDSIZE specification that is invalid because:


User Action: Supply a valid COUNT value in the PUT or UPDATE statement, or a valid RECORDSIZE in the OPEN statement, whichever is applicable.

STO, Stop (ERR=123)
Explanation: The program executed a STOP statement. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = INFO or a greater severity.
User Action: Continue execution by typing CONTINUE or terminate execution by typing EXIT.

STRLENZER, string length is zero (ERR=288)
Explanation: A graphics statement references a null string where a null string is illegal.
User Action: Adjust the string length so that it is greater than zero.

STRTOOLON, String too long (ERR=227)
Explanation: The program attempts to create a string longer than 65,535 bytes.
User Action: Reduce the length of the string.

SUBOUTRAN, Subscript out of range (ERR=55)
Explanation: The program attempts to reference an array element outside of the array's dimensioned bounds.
User Action: Check program logic to make sure that all array references are to elements within the array boundaries.

TAPBOTDET, Tape BOT detected (ERR=129)
Explanation: The program attempts a rewind or backspace operation on a magnetic tape that is already at the beginning of the file.
User Action: Trap the error or check program logic; do not rewind or backspace if the magnetic tape is at the beginning of the file.

TAPNOTANS, Tape not ANSI labeled (ERR=146)
Explanation: The program attempts to access a file-structured magnetic tape that does not have an ANSI label.
User Action: Determine the magnetic tape's format by mounting it with the /FOREIGN qualifier and using the DCL DUMP command. You can then access it as a non-file-structured magnetic tape.

TAPRECNOT, Tape records not ANSI (ERR=128)
Explanation: The records in the magtape you accessed are neither ANSI D nor ANSI F format.
User Action: Determine the magtape's format by mounting it with the /FOREIGN qualifier and using the DCL DUMP command.

TERFORFIL, Terminal format file required (ERR=164)
Explanation: The program attempted to use PRINT #, INPUT #, LINPUT #, MAT INPUT #, MAT PRINT #, or PRINT USING # to access a RELATIVE, INDEXED, or VIRTUAL file.
User Action: Supply a terminal-format file.

TOOFEWARG, Too few arguments (ERR=97)
Explanation: A function invocation, CALL, or DRAW statement passed fewer arguments than were defined in the function, picture, DEF, DEF*, or subprogram. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Change the number of arguments to match the number defined in the function or subprogram.

TOOLITDAT, too little data in record (ERR=189)
Explanation: An INPUT statement did not find enough data in one line to satisfy all the specified variables. This error is signaled only for programs compiled with the /ANSI_STANDARD qualifier.
User Action: Supply enough data in the record, or reduce the number of specified variables.

TOOMANARG, Too many arguments (ERR=89)
Explanation: A function invocation, CALL, or DRAW statement passed more arguments than were expected. This error cannot be trapped with a BASIC error handler unless the program contains OPTION HANDLE = SEVERE.
User Action: Reduce the number of arguments. A SUB or FUNCTION subprogram can pass a maximum of 255 arguments; a DEF function call can pass a maximum of eight arguments.

TOOMUCDAT, too much data in record (ERR=177)
Explanation: The user has given too many items in response to the INPUT statement. This error is only signaled for ANSI INPUT.
User Action: Supply the correct number of items to the INPUT statement or change the INPUT statement.

TRANOTDIF, Transformation numbers are not different (ERR=260)
Explanation: The same transformation number is used twice in the SET INPUT PRIORITY statement.
User Action: Specify two different transformations in the SET INPUT PRIORITY statement.

UNEFILDAT, unexpired file date (ERR=179)
Explanation: The program attempts to delete a file whose expiration date has not yet passed.
User Action: None.

UNINUMNOT, Unit number is not defined for the device (ERR=282)
Explanation: The specified unit is a method that is not supported by the device. (The default unit is 1.)
User Action: Verify the supported units for the device and specify a valid unit.

UNKGKSERR, Unknown DEC GKS FOR VMS error (ERR=286)
Explanation: A graphics error has occurred that is not mapped to a BASIC error message.
User Action: Use VMSSTATUS to access the text of the Compaq GKS error message.

USEABOINP, User aborted input, locate point cancelled (ERR=293)
Explanation: The middle mouse button was pressed during the execution of a graphics input statement that uses a mouse to enter points (for example, LOCATE POINT). The pressing of the middle mouse button aborts the graphics input statement in progress and the data in the variables used for the graphics input statement is unchanged.

The pressing of the middle mouse button during a graphics input statement is analogous to typing Ctrl/Z at a regular INPUT statement.
User Action: None. The program can trap this error in an error handler and attempt the input statement again if so desired.

VIRARRDIS, Virtual array not on disk (ERR=43)
Explanation: The program attempted to reference a virtual array on a nondisk device, or the virtual array is not opened as ORGANIZATION VIRTUAL.
User Action: Virtual arrays must be on disk; change the file specification in the OPEN statement for this array. Open the file with ORGANIZATION VIRTUAL.

VIRARROPE, Virtual array not yet open (ERR=45)
Explanation: The program attempted to reference a virtual array before opening the associated disk file.
User Action: Open the disk file containing the virtual array before referencing the array.

VIRBUFTOO, Virtual buffer too large (ERR=42)
Explanation: The program attempted to access a VIRTUAL file and the buffer size was not 512 bytes.
User Action: Change the I/O buffer to be a multiple of 512 bytes.

B.2 BASIC Run-Time Errors by Number

Table B-1 shows the run-time errors by their number and gives an explanation of each error.

Table B-1 BASIC Run-Time Errors
Error Number Explanation
1 BADDIRDEV, Bad directory for device
2 ILLFILNAM, Illegal file name
4 NO_ROOUSE, No room for user on device
5 CANFINFIL, Can't find file or account
7 IO_CHAALR, I/O channel already open
9 IO_CHANOT, I/O channel not open
10 PROVIO, Protection violation
11 ENDFILDEV, End of file on device
12 FATSYSIO_, Fatal system I/O failure
14 DEVHUNWRI, Device hung or write locked
15 KEYWAIEXH, Keyboard wait exhausted
18 ILLSYSUSA, Illegal SYS( ) usage
28 PROC__TRA, Programmable ^C trap
29 CORFILSTR, Corrupted file structure
31 ILLBYTCOU, Illegal byte count for I/O
35 MEMMANVIO, Memory management violation
42 VIRBUFTOO, Virtual buffer too large
43 VIRARRDIS, Virtual array not on disk
45 VIRARROPE, Virtual array not yet open
46 ILLIO_CHA, Illegal I/O channel
47 LINTOOLON, Line too long
48 FLOPOIERR, Floating point error or overflow
49 ARGTOOLAR, Argument too large in EXP
50 DATFORERR, Data format error
51 INTERR, Integer error
52 ILLNUM, Illegal number
53 ILLARGLOG, Illegal argument in LOG
54 IMASQUROO, Imaginary square roots
55 SUBOUTRAN, Subscript out of range
56 CANINVMAT, Can't invert matrix
57 OUTOF_DAT, Out of data
58 ON_STAOUT, ON statement out of range
59 NOTENODAT, Not enough data in record
61 DIVBY_ZER, Division by 0
63 FIEOVEBUF, FIELD overflows buffer
64 NOTRANACC, Not a random access device
66 MISSPEFEA, Missing special feature
67 ILLSWIUSA, Illegal switch usage
72 RETWITGOS, RETURN without GOSUB
73 FNEWITFUN, FNEND without function call
88 ARGDONMAT, Arguments don't match
89 TOOMANARG, Too many arguments
97 TOOFEWARG, Too few arguments
101 DATTYPERR, Data type error
102 ONEOR_TWO, One or two dimensions only
103 PROLOSSOR, Internal error in Alpha Run-Time Library. Please submit an SPR.
104 RESNO_ERR, RESUME and no error
105 REDARR, Redimensioned array
116 PRIUSIFOR, PRINT-USING format error
122 ILLFIEVAR, Illegal FIELD variable
123 STO, Stop
124 MATDIMERR, Matrix dimension error
126 MAXMEMEXC, Maximum memory exceeded
127 SCAFACINT, SCALE factor interlock
128 TAPRECNOT, Tape records not ANSI
129 TAPBOTDET, Tape BOT detected
130 KEYNOTCHA, Key not changeable
131 NO_CURREC, No current record
132 RECHASBEE, Record has been deleted
133 ILLUSADEV, Illegal usage for device
134 DUPKEYDET, Duplicate key detected
136 ILLILLACC, Illegal or illogical access
137 ILLKEYATT, Illegal key attributes
138 FILIS_LOC, File is locked
139 INVFILOPT, Invalid file options
141 ILLOPE, Illegal operation
142 ILLRECFIL, Illegal record on file
143 BADRECIDE, Bad record identifier
144 INVKEYREF, Invalid key of reference
145 KEYSIZTOO, Key size too large
146 TAPNOTANS, Tape not ANSI labelled
147 RECNUMEXC, RECORD number exceeds maximum
148 BADRECVAL, Bad RECORDSIZE value on OPEN
149 NOTENDFIL, Not at end of file
150 NO_PRIKEY, No primary key specified
151 KEYFIEBEY, Key field beyond end of record
152 ILLRECACC, Illogical record accessing
153 RECALREXI, Record already exists
154 RECBUCLOC, Record/bucket locked
155 RECNOTFOU, Record not found
156 SIZRECINV, Size of record invalid
157 RECFILTOO, Record on file too big
158 PRIKEYOUT, Primary key out of sequence
159 KEYLARTHA, Key larger than record
160 FILATTNOT, File attributes not matched
161 MOVOVEBUF, Move overflows buffer
162 CANNOT OPEN FILE
164 TERFORFIL, Terminal format file required
166 NEGFILSTR, Negative fill or string length
168 ILLALLCLA, Illegal ALLOW clause
170 INDNOTFUL, Index not fully optimized
171 RRVNOTFUL, RRV not fully updated,
173 INVRFAFIE, Invalid RFA field
174 FILEXPDAT, File expiration date not yet reached
175 NODNAMERR, Node name error
176 NEGTABNOT, Negative TAB not allowed
177 TOOMUCDAT, Too much data in record
178 ERRFILCOR, Error on OPEN - file corrupted
179 UNEFILDAT, Unexpired file date
181 DECERR, Decimal error or overflow
182 NETOPERR, Network operation error
183 REMOVEBUF, REMAP overflows buffer
185 RECOVEMAP, RECORDSIZE overflows MAP buffer
186 IMPERRHAN, Improper error handling
187 ILLRECLOC, Illegal record locking
189 TOOLITDAT, Too little data in record
190 ILLNETOPE, Illegal network operation
191 ILLTFFOPE, Illegal terminal-format file operation
192 ILLWAIVAL, Illegal wait value
193 DEADLOCK, Detected deadlock while waiting for GET or FIND
194 NOTBASIC, Not a BASIC error
195 DIMOUTRAN, Dimension number out of range
196 REMSTRNOT, REMAP string is not static
197 ARRTOOSMA, Array too small
226 GKSNOTINS, DEC GKS FOR VMS is not installed
227 STRTOOLON, String too long
228 RECATTNOT, Record attributes not matched
229 DIFUSELON, Differing use of LONG/WORD qualifiers
238 ARRMUSSAM, Arrays must be same dimension
239 ARRMUSSQU, Arrays must be square
240 CANCHAARR, Cannot change array dimensions
245 ILLEXIDEF, Illegal exit from DEF*
246 ERRTRANEE, ERROR trap needs RESUME
247 ILLRESSUB, Illegal RESUME to subroutine
250 NOTIMP, Not implemented
252 FILACPFAI, FILE ACP failure
253 DIRERR, Directive error
256 ECHTYPNOT, Prompt/echo type not supported
257 ILLTRANUM, Illegal transformation number
258 ILLPICOPE, Illegal picture operation
259 CLIPONOFF, Clipping must be ON or OFF
260 TRANOTDIF, Transformation numbers are not different
261 COLNOTCON, Color indices are not contiguous
262 ILLARESTY, Illegal area style
263 ILLTEXJUS, Illegal text justification
264 ILLTEXPRE, Illegal text precision
265 ILLTEXPAT, Illegal text path
266 ILLDEVID, Illegal device identification number
267 DEVTYPNOT, Device type is not supported
268 DEVNOTOPE, Device is not open
269 DEVOUTMET, Device is an output metafile
270 DEVINMET, Device is an input metafile
272 DEVOPEING, Device and operation are incompatible
273 COONOTNDC, Coordinates are not within NDC space
274 ILLLINSTY, Illegal line style number
275 ILLLINSIZ, Illegal line size
276 ILLPOISTY, Illegal point style number
277 ILLTEXRAT, Illegal text width-to-height ratio
278 ILLTEXHEI, Illegal text height
279 ILLSTYIND, Illegal area style index
280 ILLCOLIND, Illegal color index
281 NUMCOOINS, Number of coordinates is insufficient
282 UNINUMNOT, Unit number is not defined for the device
283 ILLECHARE, Illegal echo area
284 ILLINIVAL, Illegal initial value
285 ENTPOINOT, Entered points not within a transformation
286 UNKGKSERR, Unknown DEC GKS FOR VMS error
287 INVCHASTR, Invalid character in string
288 STRLENZER, String length is zero
289 DATOVERF, Data overflow
290 ILLCNTCLA, Illegal count clause
291 ILLCOLMIX, Illegal color mix
292 ILLDEVNAM, Illegal device name in OPEN
293 USEABOINP, User aborted input, locate point cancelled

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