IPCS calls the CTRACE formatter for each CTE.

A CTRACE formatter may use a 4-kilobyte work area. The address of the work area is in the CTXIUSWA field of the CTXI data area. Each time a formatter is used, it can use the same work area, providing continuity across multiple invocations of the formatters. However, this work area is not preserved for use by other CTRACE exit routines.

When a formatter is specified by name in the format table, CTRACE loads it and retains its entry point for subsequent use. All such loaded support is deleted when CTRACE completes.