In the L mode interactive mode, messages are output to SYSOUT,and in batch mode they are output to SYSLST.
In F mode, the messages are output in the last line of the data window which is referred to as the message line. The display in the data window is then shortened by one line. If a message is longer than the message line, for example because it contains a very long insert, then it is output in the two last lines of the data window and the display in the data window is shortened by a further line. If the screen is split and only one data line is available then the message is truncated and output in this line. Some messages require input from the user. These are also usually output in the message line. However, in some cases, the query message is output together with another message. In such cases, this message is output in the message line and the query message is output in the screen's statement line. In all cases, the response must be entered in the first column of the statement line. If an EDT statement results in more than one message then only the message with highest weight is output. If the message weights are the same then the last generated message is output.