diff --git a/hawk/lib/err.c b/hawk/lib/err.c
index d02ba3c6..fb1c2972 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/err.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/err.c
@@ -60,16 +60,16 @@ const hawk_ooch_t* hawk_dflerrstr (hawk_t* awk, hawk_errnum_t errnum)
 		HAWK_T("timed out"),
 		HAWK_T("in bad state"),
 
-		HAWK_T("cannot open '${0}'"),
-		HAWK_T("cannot read '${0}'"),
-		HAWK_T("cannot write '${0}'"),
-		HAWK_T("cannot close '${0}'"),
+		HAWK_T("cannot open"),
+		HAWK_T("cannot read"),
+		HAWK_T("cannot write"),
+		HAWK_T("cannot close"),
 		
 		HAWK_T("block nested too deeply"),
 		HAWK_T("expression nested too deeply"),
 
-		HAWK_T("invalid character '${0}'"),
-		HAWK_T("invalid digit '${0}'"),
+		HAWK_T("invalid character"),
+		HAWK_T("invalid digit"),
 
 		HAWK_T("unexpected end of input"),
 		HAWK_T("comment not closed properly"),
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ const hawk_ooch_t* hawk_dflerrstr (hawk_t* awk, hawk_errnum_t errnum)
 		HAWK_T("statement not ending with a semicolon"),
 		HAWK_T("keyword 'in' expected in place of '${0}'"),
 		HAWK_T("right-hand side of 'in' not a variable"),
-		HAWK_T("expression not recognized around '${0}'"),
+		HAWK_T("expression not recognized around"),
 
 		HAWK_T("keyword 'function' expected in place of '${0}'"),
 		HAWK_T("keyword 'while' expected in place of '${0}'"),
diff --git a/hawk/lib/hawk-cmn.h b/hawk/lib/hawk-cmn.h
index ef4239cd..7393e5e7 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/hawk-cmn.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/hawk-cmn.h
@@ -790,16 +790,16 @@ enum hawk_errnum_t
 	HAWK_ESTATE,  /**< in bad state */
 
 	/* mostly parse errors */
-	HAWK_EOPEN,   /**< cannot open '${0}' */
-	HAWK_EREAD,   /**< cannot read '${0}' */
-	HAWK_EWRITE,  /**< cannot write '${0}' */
-	HAWK_ECLOSE,  /**< cannot close '${0}' */
+	HAWK_EOPEN,   /**< cannot open */
+	HAWK_EREAD,   /**< cannot read */
+	HAWK_EWRITE,  /**< cannot write */
+	HAWK_ECLOSE,  /**< cannot close */
 
 	HAWK_EBLKNST, /**< block nested too deeply */
 	HAWK_EEXPRNST,/**< expression nested too deeply */
 
-	HAWK_ELXCHR,  /**< invalid character '${0}' */
-	HAWK_ELXDIG,  /**< invalid digit '${0}' */
+	HAWK_ELXCHR,  /**< invalid character */
+	HAWK_ELXDIG,  /**< invalid digit */
 
 	HAWK_EEOF,    /**< unexpected end of source */
 	HAWK_ECMTNC,  /**< comment not closed properly */
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ enum hawk_errnum_t
 	HAWK_ESTMEND, /**< statement not ending with a semicolon */
 	HAWK_EKWIN,   /**< keyword 'in' expected in place of '${0}' */
 	HAWK_ENOTVAR, /**< right-hand side of 'in' not a variable */
-	HAWK_EEXPRNR, /**< expression not recognized around '${0}' */
+	HAWK_EEXPRNR, /**< expression not recognized */
 
 	HAWK_EKWFNC,    /**< keyword 'function' expected in place of '${0}' */
 	HAWK_EKWWHL,    /**< keyword 'while' expected in place of '${0}' */
diff --git a/hawk/lib/hawk.h b/hawk/lib/hawk.h
index 59773e0b..d0d94dfb 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/hawk.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/hawk.h
@@ -1599,7 +1599,7 @@ HAWK_EXPORT void hawk_geterrinf (
  * error message.
  */
 #if defined(HAWK_HAVE_INLINE)
-static HAWK_INLINE void hawk_seterrnum (hawk_t* hawk, hawk_loc_t* errloc, hawk_errnum_t errnum) { hawk_gem_seterrnum (hawk_getgem(hawk), errloc, errnum); }
+static HAWK_INLINE void hawk_seterrnum (hawk_t* hawk, const hawk_loc_t* errloc, hawk_errnum_t errnum) { hawk_gem_seterrnum (hawk_getgem(hawk), errloc, errnum); }
 #else
 #define hawk_seterrnum(hawk, errloc, errnum) hawk_gem_seterrnum(hawk_getgem(hawk), errloc, errnum)
 #endif
@@ -2444,7 +2444,7 @@ HAWK_EXPORT void hawk_rtx_geterror (
 );
 
 #if defined(HAWK_HAVE_INLINE)
-static HAWK_INLINE void hawk_rtx_seterrnum (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_loc_t* errloc, hawk_errnum_t errnum) { hawk_gem_seterrnum (hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx), errloc, errnum); }
+static HAWK_INLINE void hawk_rtx_seterrnum (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, const hawk_loc_t* errloc, hawk_errnum_t errnum) { hawk_gem_seterrnum (hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx), errloc, errnum); }
 #else
 #define hawk_rtx_seterrnum(rtx, errloc, errnum) hawk_gem_seterrnum(hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx), errloc, errnum)
 #endif
diff --git a/hawk/lib/parse.c b/hawk/lib/parse.c
index 82bd2572..f6fb88b7 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/parse.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/parse.c
@@ -413,12 +413,6 @@ static global_t gtab[] =
 #define SETERR_TOK(awk,code) \
 	hawk_seterror (awk, code, HAWK_OOECS_OOCS((awk)->tok.name), &(awk)->tok.loc)
 
-#define SETERR_COD(awk,code) \
-	hawk_seterror (awk, code, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_NULL)
-
-#define SETERR_LOC(awk,code,loc) \
-	hawk_seterror (awk, code, HAWK_NULL, loc)
-
 #define SETERR_ARG_LOC(awk,code,ep,el,loc) \
 	do { \
 		hawk_oocs_t __ea; \
@@ -701,7 +695,7 @@ int hawk_parse (hawk_t* awk, hawk_sio_cbs_t* sio)
 
 	if (!sio || !sio->in)
 	{
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EINVAL);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EINVAL);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -937,7 +931,7 @@ static int parse_progunit (hawk_t* awk)
 		if (awk->opt.depth.s.incl > 0 &&
 		    awk->parse.depth.incl >=  awk->opt.depth.s.incl)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLTD, &awk->ptok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLTD);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -946,7 +940,7 @@ static int parse_progunit (hawk_t* awk)
 
 		if (!MATCH(awk, TOK_STR))
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLSTR, &awk->ptok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLSTR);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -1046,7 +1040,7 @@ static int parse_progunit (hawk_t* awk)
 		{
 			/* when HAWK_NEWLINE is set,
 	   		 * BEGIN and { should be located on the same line */
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBLKBEG, &awk->ptok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EBLKBEG);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -1077,7 +1071,7 @@ static int parse_progunit (hawk_t* awk)
 		{
 			/* when HAWK_NEWLINE is set,
 	   		 * END and { should be located on the same line */
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBLKEND, &awk->ptok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EBLKEND);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -1188,7 +1182,7 @@ static int parse_progunit (hawk_t* awk)
 				/* blockless pattern requires HAWK_RIO
 				 * to be ON because the implicit block is
 				 * "print $0" */
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENOSUP, &ploc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &ploc, HAWK_ENOSUP);
 				return -1;
 			}
 		}
@@ -1343,7 +1337,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_function (hawk_t* awk)
 			/* push the parameter to the parameter list */
 			if (HAWK_ARR_SIZE(awk->parse.params) >= HAWK_MAX_PARAMS)
 			{
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EPARTM, &awk->tok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->tok.loc, HAWK_EPARTM);
 				goto oops;
 			}
 
@@ -1575,7 +1569,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int istop)
 			if (awk->opt.depth.s.incl > 0 &&
 			    awk->parse.depth.incl >=  awk->opt.depth.s.incl)
 			{
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLTD, &awk->ptok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLTD);
 				return HAWK_NULL;
 			}
 
@@ -1584,7 +1578,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int istop)
 	
 			if (!MATCH(awk,TOK_STR))
 			{
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLSTR, &awk->ptok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLSTR);
 				return HAWK_NULL;
 			}
 
@@ -1626,7 +1620,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int istop)
 				awk->parse.lcls, nlcls, 
 				HAWK_ARR_SIZE(awk->parse.lcls) - nlcls);
 			if (head != HAWK_NULL) hawk_clrpt (awk, head);
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EEOF, &awk->tok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->tok.loc, HAWK_EEOF);
 			return HAWK_NULL;
 		}
 
@@ -1652,7 +1646,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int istop)
 			if (awk->opt.depth.s.incl > 0 &&
 			    awk->parse.depth.incl >=  awk->opt.depth.s.incl)
 			{
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLTD, &awk->ptok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLTD);
 				return HAWK_NULL;
 			}
 
@@ -1661,7 +1655,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int istop)
 
 			if (!MATCH(awk,TOK_STR))
 			{
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCLSTR, &awk->ptok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_EINCLSTR);
 				return HAWK_NULL;
 			}
 
@@ -1753,7 +1747,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_block_dc (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int isto
 	if (awk->opt.depth.s.block_parse > 0 &&
 	    awk->parse.depth.block >= awk->opt.depth.s.block_parse)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBLKNST, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EBLKNST);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -1895,7 +1889,7 @@ static int add_global (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_oocs_t* name, hawk_loc_t* xloc, i
 	ngbls = HAWK_ARR_SIZE(awk->parse.gbls);
 	if (ngbls >= HAWK_MAX_GBLS)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EGBLTM, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EGBLTM);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -1926,7 +1920,7 @@ int hawk_addgblwithbcstr (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_bch_t* name)
 	if (awk->tree.ngbls > awk->tree.ngbls_base) 
 	{
 		/* this function is not allowed after hawk_parse is called */
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EPERM);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EPERM);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -1934,7 +1928,7 @@ int hawk_addgblwithbcstr (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_bch_t* name)
 	ncs.len = hawk_count_bcstr(name);;
 	if (ncs.len <= 0)
 	{
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EINVAL);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EINVAL);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -1965,7 +1959,7 @@ int hawk_addgblwithucstr (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_uch_t* name)
 	if (awk->tree.ngbls > awk->tree.ngbls_base) 
 	{
 		/* this function is not allowed after hawk_parse is called */
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EPERM);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EPERM);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -1973,7 +1967,7 @@ int hawk_addgblwithucstr (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_uch_t* name)
 	ncs.len = hawk_count_ucstr(name);;
 	if (ncs.len <= 0)
 	{
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EINVAL);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EINVAL);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
@@ -2172,7 +2166,7 @@ static hawk_t* collect_globals (hawk_t* awk)
 	{
 		/* special check if the first name is on the 
 		 * same line when HAWK_NEWLINE is on */
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EVARMS);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EVARMS);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2224,7 +2218,7 @@ static hawk_t* collect_locals (hawk_t* awk, hawk_oow_t nlcls, int istop)
 	{
 		/* special check if the first name is on the 
 		 * same line when HAWK_NEWLINE is on */
-		SETERR_COD (awk, HAWK_EVARMS);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EVARMS);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2679,7 +2673,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_break (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	HAWK_ASSERT (awk->ptok.type == TOK_BREAK);
 	if (awk->parse.depth.loop <= 0) 
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBREAK, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EBREAK);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2703,7 +2697,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_continue (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	HAWK_ASSERT (awk->ptok.type == TOK_CONTINUE);
 	if (awk->parse.depth.loop <= 0) 
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ECONTINUE, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ECONTINUE);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2807,12 +2801,12 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_next (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 
 	if (awk->parse.id.block == PARSE_BEGIN_BLOCK)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENEXTBEG, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ENEXTBEG);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 	if (awk->parse.id.block == PARSE_END_BLOCK)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENEXTEND, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ENEXTEND);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2835,12 +2829,12 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_nextfile (
 
 	if (!out && awk->parse.id.block == PARSE_BEGIN_BLOCK)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENEXTFBEG, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ENEXTFBEG);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 	if (!out && awk->parse.id.block == PARSE_END_BLOCK)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENEXTFEND, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ENEXTFEND);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -2891,7 +2885,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_delete (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	if ((type == HAWK_NDE_DELETE && !is_var (var)) ||
 	    (type == HAWK_NDE_RESET && !is_plain_var (var)))
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBADARG, &dloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, &dloc, HAWK_EBADARG);
 		goto oops;
 	}
 
@@ -3123,7 +3117,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_print (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 
 	if (type == HAWK_NDE_PRINTF && !args)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENOARG, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ENOARG);
 		goto oops;
 	}
 
@@ -3267,7 +3261,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_statement_nb (
 	else
 	{
 		if (nde != HAWK_NULL) hawk_clrpt (awk, nde);
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ESTMEND, &awk->ptok.loc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->ptok.loc, HAWK_ESTMEND);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -3463,7 +3457,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_expr (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	if (!is_var(x) && x->type != HAWK_NDE_POS) 
 	{
 		hawk_clrpt (awk, x);
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EASSIGN, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EASSIGN);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -3512,7 +3506,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_expr_withdc (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	if (awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse > 0 &&
 	    awk->parse.depth.expr >= awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EEXPRNST, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EEXPRNST);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -3987,7 +3981,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_in (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 
 		if (!is_plain_var(right))
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ENOTVAR, &rloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &rloc, HAWK_ENOTVAR);
 			goto oops;
 		}
 
@@ -4193,7 +4187,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_unary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	if (awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse > 0 &&
 	    awk->parse.depth.expr >= awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EEXPRNST, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EEXPRNST);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -4339,7 +4333,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_unary_exp (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	if (awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse > 0 &&
 	    awk->parse.depth.expr >= awk->opt.depth.s.expr_parse)
 	{
-		SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EEXPRNST, xloc);
+		hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EEXPRNST);
 		return HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -4400,7 +4394,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_increment (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			/* both prefix and postfix increment operator. 
 			 * not allowed */
 			hawk_clrpt (awk, left);
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EPREPST, xloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EPREPST);
 			return HAWK_NULL;
 		}
 	}
@@ -4446,7 +4440,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_increment (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 		else
 		{
 			hawk_clrpt (awk, left);
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EINCDECOPR, xloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EINCDECOPR);
 			return HAWK_NULL;
 		}
 	}
@@ -4897,7 +4891,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_getline  (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			 *    getline a() 
 			 *    getline sys::WNOHANG
 			 */
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBADARG, &ploc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &ploc, HAWK_EBADARG);
 			goto oops;
 		}
 	}
@@ -4962,6 +4956,9 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_nopipe (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			return parse_primary_getline(awk, xloc);
 
 		default:
+		{
+			hawk_tok_t* xtok;
+
 			/* in the tolerant mode, we treat print and printf 
 			 * as a function like getline */
 			if ((awk->opt.trait & HAWK_TOLERANT) &&
@@ -4972,22 +4969,11 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_nopipe (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			}
 
 			/* valid expression introducer is expected */
-			if (MATCH(awk,TOK_NEWLINE))
-			{
-				SETERR_ARG_LOC (
-					awk, HAWK_EEXPRNR, 
-					HAWK_OOECS_PTR(awk->ptok.name), 
-					HAWK_OOECS_LEN(awk->ptok.name),
-					&awk->ptok.loc
-				);
-			}
-			else 
-			{
-				SETERR_TOK (awk, HAWK_EEXPRNR);
-			}
+			xtok = MATCH(awk,TOK_NEWLINE)? &awk->ptok: &awk->tok;
+			hawk_seterrfmt (awk, &xtok->loc, HAWK_EEXPRNR, HAWK_T("expression not recognized around '%.*js'"), HAWK_OOECS_LEN(xtok->name),  HAWK_OOECS_PTR(xtok->name));
 			return HAWK_NULL;
+		}
 	}
-
 }
 
 static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
@@ -5064,7 +5050,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			{
 				/* fucntion a() {}
 				 * print ("ls -laF" | getline a()) */
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EBADARG, &ploc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &ploc, HAWK_EBADARG);
 				goto oops;
 			}
 		}
@@ -5193,7 +5179,7 @@ static int dup_ident_and_get_next (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, hawk_ooc
 
 		if (nsegs >= max)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ESEGTM, xloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_ESEGTM);
 			goto oops;
 		}
 	}
@@ -5760,12 +5746,12 @@ make_node:
 
 		if (nargs > call->u.fnc.spec.arg.max)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EARGTM, xloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EARGTM);
 			goto oops;
 		}
 		else if (nargs < call->u.fnc.spec.arg.min)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EARGTF, xloc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, xloc, HAWK_EARGTF);
 			goto oops;
 		}
 	}
@@ -5843,8 +5829,7 @@ static int get_number (hawk_t* awk, hawk_tok_t* tok)
 
 			if (c == HAWK_T('8') || c == HAWK_T('9'))
 			{
-				hawk_ooch_t cc = (hawk_ooch_t)c;
-				SETERR_ARG_LOC (awk, HAWK_ELXDIG, &cc, 1, &awk->tok.loc);
+				hawk_seterrfmt (awk, &awk->tok.loc, HAWK_ELXCHR, HAWK_T("invalid digit '%jc'"), (hawk_ooch_t)c);
 				return -1;
 			}
 
@@ -5918,7 +5903,7 @@ static int get_string (
 
 		if (c == HAWK_OOCI_EOF)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ESTRNC, &awk->tok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->tok.loc, HAWK_ESTRNC);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -6134,7 +6119,7 @@ static int get_single_quoted_string (hawk_t* awk, int byte_only, hawk_tok_t* tok
 
 		if (c == HAWK_OOCI_EOF)
 		{
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ESTRNC, &awk->tok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &awk->tok.loc, HAWK_ESTRNC);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -6250,7 +6235,7 @@ static int skip_comment (hawk_t* awk)
 				loc.line = awk->sio.inp->line;
 				loc.colm = awk->sio.inp->colm;
 				loc.file = awk->sio.inp->path;
-				SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ECMTNC, &loc);
+				hawk_seterrnum (awk, &loc, HAWK_ECMTNC);
 				return -1;
 			}
 
@@ -6263,7 +6248,7 @@ static int skip_comment (hawk_t* awk)
 					loc.line = awk->sio.inp->line;
 					loc.colm = awk->sio.inp->colm;
 					loc.file = awk->sio.inp->path;
-					SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_ECMTNC, &loc);
+					hawk_seterrnum (awk, &loc, HAWK_ECMTNC);
 					return -1;
 				}
 
@@ -6481,7 +6466,7 @@ retry:
 		{
 			/* this extended keyword is empty, 
 			 * not followed by a valid word */
-			SETERR_LOC (awk, HAWK_EXKWEM, &(awk)->tok.loc);
+			hawk_seterrnum (awk, &(awk)->tok.loc, HAWK_EXKWEM);
 			return -1;
 		}
 		else
@@ -6561,14 +6546,11 @@ retry:
 			/* not handled yet */
 			if (c == HAWK_T('\0'))
 			{
-				SETERR_ARG_LOC (
-					awk, HAWK_ELXCHR,
-					HAWK_T("<NUL>"), 5, &tok->loc);
+				hawk_seterrfmt (awk, &tok->loc, HAWK_ELXCHR, HAWK_T("invalid character '\\0'"));
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				hawk_ooch_t cc = (hawk_ooch_t)c;
-				SETERR_ARG_LOC (awk, HAWK_ELXCHR, &cc, 1, &tok->loc);
+				hawk_seterrfmt (awk, &tok->loc, HAWK_ELXCHR, HAWK_T("invalid character '%jc'"), (hawk_ooch_t)c);
 			}
 			return -1;
 		}
diff --git a/hawk/lib/std.c b/hawk/lib/std.c
index 9e07b940..c2033e48 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/std.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/std.c
@@ -1525,7 +1525,7 @@ static hawk_ooi_t sf_out (hawk_t* awk, hawk_sio_cmd_t cmd, hawk_sio_arg_t* arg,
 						const hawk_ooch_t* bem = hawk_backuperrmsg(awk);
 						ioname = xtn->s.out.x->u.file.path;
 						if (!ioname) ioname = sio_std_names[HAWK_SIO_STDOUT].ptr;
-						hawk_seterrfmt (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EREAD, HAWK_T("unable to write to %js - %js"), ioname, bem); 
+						hawk_seterrfmt (awk, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EWRITE, HAWK_T("unable to write to %js - %js"), ioname, bem); 
 					}
 					return n;
 				}
diff --git a/hawk/t/test.txt b/hawk/t/test.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dd74843e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hawk/t/test.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+#### TODO: create test cases using the following data
+
+
+BEGIN { @local abc; abc(); }'
+HAWK_ENOTFUN -> ERROR: CODE 97 LINE 1 COLUMN 21 - non-function value in abc 
+
+
+BEGIN { @local x; abc(); } 
+HAWK_EFUNNF -> ERROR: CODE 96 LINE 1 COLUMN 19 - function 'abc' not found
+
+hawk --implicit=off 'BEGIN { @local x; abc(); }'
+HAWK_EFUNNF -> ERROR: CODE 96 LINE 1 COLUMN 19 - function 'abc' not defined    ===> same as the above. but it's a parse-time error.
+
+
+BEGIN { @local x; x=sys::getpid(); delete x;}
+HAWK_ENOTDEL -> ERROR: CODE 98 LINE 1 COLUMN 43 - 'x' not deletable
+
+
+hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  ARGV = 30; }'
+HAWK_ENMAPTOSCALAR -> ERROR: CODE 110 LINE 1 COLUMN 10 - not allowed to change a map 'ARGV' to a scalar
+
+hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local x; x = 10; x[1] = "hello"; }'
+HAWK_ESCALARTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 28 - not allowed to change a scalar 'x' to a map
+
+hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local x, y; x[1]=20; ARGC = x; }'
+HAWK_ESCALARTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 32 - not allowed to achange a scalar 'ARGC' to a map
+
+hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  ARGC[1] = "hello"; }'
+HAWK_ESCALARTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 10 - not allowed to change a scalar 'ARGC' to a map
+
+
+ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local x, y; x[1]=20; CONVFMT = x; }'
+HAWK_ESCALARTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 32 - not allowed to change a scalar 'CONVFMT' to a map
+
+hawk --flexmap=on 'BEGIN {  @local x, y; x[1]=20; CONVFMT = x; }'
+HAWK_ESCALARTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 32 - not allowed to change a scalar 'CONVFMT' to a map
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local x, y; x[1] = 10; y[1] = 20; x = y; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 45 - not allowed to change a map 'x' to another map    => x is a local variable
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local y; x[1] = 10; y[1] = 20; x = y; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 42 - jnot allowed to change a map 'x' to another map    => x is a global variable
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'function abc(x) { @local j; j[1] = 20; x = j; } BEGIN {  @local q; q[1]=20; abc(q); }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 108 LINE 1 COLUMN 40 - not allowed to change a map 'x' to another map  => x is an argument
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'function abc(x) { x = 20; } BEGIN {  @local q; q[1]=20; abc(q); }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOSCALAR -> ERROR: CODE 107 LINE 1 COLUMN 19 - not allowed to change a map 'x' to a scalar
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local y; x[1] = 10;  x = 20; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOSCALAR -> ERROR: CODE 107 LINE 1 COLUMN 32 - not allowed to change a map 'x' to a scalar
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  x[1] = 10;  x = 20; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOSCALAR -> ERROR: CODE 107 LINE 1 COLUMN 22 - not allowed to change a map 'x' to a scalar
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  x[1] = 10;  jx=x; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 106 LINE 1 COLUMN 22 - not allowed to assign a map to a variable 'jx'
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'BEGIN {  @local x, jx; x[1] = 10;  jx=x; }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 106 LINE 1 COLUMN 36 - not allowed to assign a map to a variable 'jx'
+
+
+$ hawk --flexmap=off 'function abc(jx) { @local x; x[1]= 20; jx = x; } BEGIN {  abc(10); }'
+HAWK_EMAPTOMAP -> ERROR: CODE 106 LINE 1 COLUMN 40 - not allowed to assign a map to a variable 'jx'
+
+
+
+$ hawk 'BEGIN { print 0192; }'
+HAWK_ELXDIG -> ERROR: CODE 32 LINE 1 COLUMN 15 - invalid digit '9'
+
+
+$ hawk 'BEGIN { +
+> }'
+HAWK_EEXPRNR -> ERROR: CODE 49 LINE 1 COLUMN 9 - expression not recognized around '+'