Methods and arrangements for managing error messages from a set of programming tools within a program development environment, such as compilers, linkers, library builders, etc. The error messages are arranged as a directed acyclic graph, with the nodes as error messages, and edges as dependency relationships. In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are broadly contemplated the following: allowing one or more programming tool to report errors to an error manager component; deducing dependencies amongst error messages, based on error dependency definition provided to the error manager; and delivering messages and dependencies to client components. Although framed within the context of program development tools, this solution could be applied to many other tools outside this domain, under suitable and specified requirements.