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# Create Application Message (xxMS) File

You can choose to store application error and field help messages in an application message (xxMS) file, instead of hard-coding them into your programs. Separating error message text from the program logic provides for standard messages; allows easier modification of messages; and takes the first of many steps toward interface-independence, which eases language translations and is a requirement of event-driven user interfaces.

To implement an application message file, follow these steps:

1. Use the System Messages function in Resource Manager to add the system message to the xxMS file.
2. Assign the MX8 or MX9 variables to the message number you want to display, and GOSUB GENERROR.

The MX8 variable carries a massage number to replace the X8$ variable, and the MX9 variable replaces the X9$ variable. You may still use X8$ and X9$ and these methods can coexist, although you should choose one method or the other.