All compiler applications use textual messages to report feedback during
the compilation process.
There are several types of messages, described below. The behavior of the
compiler when encountering a message of each type is also listed.
- Advisory Messages
- Conveys information regarding a situation the compiler has encountered
or some action the compiler is about to take. The information is being displayed “for
your interest” and typically requires no action to be taken. Compilation will
continue as normal after such a message is issued.
- Warning Messages
- Indicates source code or other situations that can be compiled, but is
unusual and might lead to runtime failures of the code. The code or situation that
triggered the warning should be investigated; however, compilation of the current
module will continue, as will compilation of any remaining modules.
- Error Messages
- Indicates source code that is illegal or that compilation of code
cannot take place. Compilation will be attempted for the remaining source code in the
current module (however the cause of the initial error might trigger further errors)
and compilation of the other modules in the project will take place, but the project
will not be linked.
- Fatal Messages
- Indicates a situation in which compilation cannot proceed and which
forces the compilation process to stop immediately.
A list of warning and
error messages, and descriptions can be found in Error and Warning Messages.