NAME

fmtmsg - display a message in standard format

SYNOPSIS

fmtmsg [-a action] [-c class] [-l label] [-s severity] [-t tag] [-u subclass[,subclass[,...]]] [text]

DESCRIPTION

The fmtmsg command writes a message either to standard error, to /dev/console, or to both. The text argument specifies the actual message.

The following options are accepted:

-a action

A hint to the user what to do to fix the situation. The action string is written in a second line following the actual message and is preceded by `TO FIX:'.

-c class

A classification for the problem. May be one of `hard' for Hardware, `soft' for Software, or `firm' for Firmware.

-l label

The label indicates which component issued the message, for example, the name of the command which invokes fmtmsg.

-s severity

The severity argument may be one of `halt', `error', `warn', or `info'. It is printed immediately before the actual message.

-t tag

An additional identifier for the message. It is written at the end of a second line following the actual message.

-u subclass[,subclass[,...]]

A comma-separated list of strings that specifies the message destination, or gives further details about the message. Valid values for subclass are:

appl	The message originates from an application.
util	The message originates from a utility.
opsys	The message originates from the operating system.
recov	The problem is recoverable.
nrecov	The problem is not recoverable.
print	Print the message to standard error.
console	Print the message to /dev/console .

Unless at least one of `-u print' or `-u console' is given, fmtmsg produces no output.