Compile_et converts a table listing error-code names and associated messages into a C source file
suitable for use with the com_err(3) library.
The source file name must end with a suffix of ``.et''; the file consists of a declaration supplying the
name (up to four characters long) of the error-code table:
error_tablename
followed by up to 256 entries of the form:
error_codename, " string "
and a final
end
to indicate the end of the table.
The name of the table is used to construct the name of a subroutine initialize_XXXX_error_table which
must be called in order for the com_err library to recognize the error table.
The various error codes defined are assigned sequentially increasing numbers (starting with a large
number computed as a hash function of the name of the table); thus for compatibility it is suggested that
new codes be added only to the end of an existing table, and that no codes be removed from tables.
The names defined in the table are placed into a C header file with preprocessor directives defining them
as integer constants of up to 32 bits in magnitude.
A C source file is also generated which should be compiled and linked with the object files which
reference these error codes; it contains the text of the messages and the initialization subroutine.
Both C files have names derived from that of the original source file, with the ``.et'' suffix replaced
by ``.c'' and ``.h''.
A ``#'' in the source file is treated as a comment character, and all remaining text to the end of the
source line will be ignored.