diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/_common b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/_common
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a3dfbc72e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/_common
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+########################################################################
+#                                                                      #
+#              This file is part of the ksh 93u+m package              #
+#          Copyright (c) 1982-2012 AT&T Intellectual Property          #
+#             Copyright (c) 2021 Contributors to ksh 93u+m             #
+#                    <https://github.com/ksh93/ksh>                    #
+#                      and is licensed under the                       #
+#                 Eclipse Public License, Version 1.0                  #
+#                                                                      #
+#                A copy of the License is available at                 #
+#          http://www.eclipse.org/org/documents/epl-v10.html           #
+#         (with md5 checksum b35adb5213ca9657e911e9befb180842)         #
+#                                                                      #
+#                  Martijn Dekker <martijn@inlv.org>                   #
+#                                                                      #
+########################################################################
+
+_message()
+{
+	print -r $'\t'"${Command}[$1]: ${@:2}" >&2
+}
+alias err_exit='_message "$((Errors++,LINENO))"'   # inaccurate err_exit name kept for historical integrity :)
+alias warning='_message "$LINENO" "warning:"'
+
+Command=${0##*/}
+integer Errors=0
+
+if	! [[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]]
+then	print -r "$Command: \$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting." >&2
+	exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/alias.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/alias.sh
index e6a23e56c..2d51f988e 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/alias.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/alias.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 alias foo='print hello'
 if	[[ $(foo) != hello ]]
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/append.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/append.sh
index 7db618c43..b65e38597 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/append.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/append.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 {
 x=abc
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arith.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arith.sh
index 46656a728..31ae75ea3 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arith.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arith.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 trap '' FPE # NOTE: osf.alpha requires this (no ieee math)
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays.sh
index 4e27367f2..29dcd365b 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function fun
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays2.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays2.sh
index 4701565fd..bc5dcda3c 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays2.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/arrays2.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 for	((i=0; i < 4; i++ ))
 do	for	((j=0; j < 5; j++ ))
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/attributes.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/attributes.sh
index 3a2f936e6..69e51df25 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/attributes.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/attributes.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # ======
 # as of 93u+, typeset -xu/-xl failed to change case in a value (rhbz#1188377)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/basic.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/basic.sh
index 7d8f52a53..920fa8e2a 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/basic.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/basic.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 bincat=$(whence -p cat)
 binecho=$(whence -p echo)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/bracket.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/bracket.sh
index 95771aee7..de5663546 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/bracket.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/bracket.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 null=''
 if	[[ ! -z $null ]]
@@ -83,7 +73,7 @@ fi
 chmod 000 $file
 
 if	[[ $(id -u) == '0' ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping tests involving r/w permissions"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping tests involving r/w permissions"
 else	if	[[ -r $file ]]
 	then	err_exit "-r: $file should not be readable"
 	fi
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/builtins.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/builtins.sh
index 5e7330f2b..50e8484bb 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/builtins.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/builtins.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 bincat=$(whence -p cat)
 
@@ -808,7 +798,7 @@ e=$?
 
 # https://bugzilla.redhat.com/1102627
 if	[[ $(id -u) == '0' ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping tests involving directory search (x) permission"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping tests involving directory search (x) permission"
 else
 mkdir -m 600 "$tmp/no_x_dir"
 expect=": cd: $tmp/no_x_dir: [Permission denied]"
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/case.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/case.sh
index f28d56e18..21afcf065 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/case.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/case.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 bar=foo2
 bam=foo[3]
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvar.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvar.sh
index f9d070545..16044d460 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvar.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvar.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 #test for compound variables
 Command=${0##*/}
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvario.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvario.sh
index 0f344406b..9bb65637f 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvario.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/comvario.sh
@@ -19,20 +19,7 @@
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
 
-# test setup
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n '\t'
-	print -u2 -r "${Command}[$1]: ${@:2}"
-	(( Errors++ ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-alias warning='err\_exit $((Errors--,LINENO)) warning:'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # "nounset" disabled for now
 #set -o nounset
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/coprocess.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/coprocess.sh
index 5b8b5e3f5..6d9b39de3 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/coprocess.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/coprocess.sh
@@ -18,18 +18,8 @@
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
 # test the behavior of co-processes
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 if	[[ -d /cygdrive ]]
 then	err_exit cygwin detected - coprocess tests disabled - enable at the risk of wedging your system
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/cubetype.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/cubetype.sh
index c4eab976d..0b6176985 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/cubetype.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/cubetype.sh
@@ -17,20 +17,11 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
+
 integer n=2
 
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
-
 typeset -T Box_t=(
 	float -h 'height in inches' x=2
 	float -h 'width in inches' y=4
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/enum.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/enum.sh
index 6e5fcbb0a..49d432408 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/enum.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/enum.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 enum Color_t=(red green blue orange yellow)
 enum -i Sex_t=(Male Female)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/exit.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/exit.sh
index 64a94f9b5..3fbf91f21 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/exit.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/exit.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function abspath
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/expand.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/expand.sh
index f653469c1..aa3aced65 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/expand.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/expand.sh
@@ -17,17 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$Line]: "$@"
-	((Errors++))
-}
 
-integer Errors=0
-Command=${0##*/}
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # {...} expansion tests -- ignore if not supported
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/functions.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/functions.sh
index 2e25dc3e4..6c38da1b2 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/functions.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/functions.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-integer Errors=0
-Command=${0##*/}
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 compiled=''
 read -n4 c < $0 2> /dev/null
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/glob.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/glob.sh
index 17c5cf4fd..90caf06fa 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/glob.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/glob.sh
@@ -17,17 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -r $'\t'"${Command}[$1] ${@:2}"
-	((Errors++))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer aware=0 contrary=0 Errors=0 ignorant=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function test_glob
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/grep.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/grep.sh
index f7afbcef3..08e92db56 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/grep.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/grep.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function grep
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/heredoc.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/heredoc.sh
index 87fbd161b..eb6c6e91e 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/heredoc.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/heredoc.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 bincat=$(whence -p cat)
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/io.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/io.sh
index e7e2b85af..f0d36b767 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/io.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/io.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 unset HISTFILE
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/jobs.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/jobs.sh
index 577d26465..421608044 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/jobs.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/jobs.sh
@@ -13,19 +13,8 @@
 #                  Martijn Dekker <martijn@inlv.org>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r "${Command}[$1]: ${@:2}"
-	let Errors++
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-alias warning='err\_exit $((Errors--,LINENO)) warning:'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # All the tests here should run with job control on
 set -o monitor
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/leaks.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/leaks.sh
index b800bf90d..d14a1b99e 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/leaks.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/leaks.sh
@@ -18,19 +18,7 @@
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
-
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # Determine method for running tests.
 # The 'vmstate' builtin can be used if ksh was compiled with vmalloc.
@@ -75,7 +63,7 @@ then	N=16384
 	{
 		ps -o rss= -p "$$"
 	}
-else	err\_exit "$LINENO" 'WARNING: cannot find method to measure memory usage; skipping tests'
+else	warning 'cannot find method to measure memory usage; skipping tests'
 	exit 0
 fi
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/locale.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/locale.sh
index 192711be3..a9a757d80 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/locale.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/locale.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 unset LANG LANGUAGE "${!LC_@}"
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/math.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/math.sh
index b13e6c35f..4d29a9508 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/math.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/math.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors < 127 && Errors++ ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 set -o nounset
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/nameref.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/nameref.sh
index 86e557f44..4beb8ee02 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/nameref.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/nameref.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function checkref
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/namespace.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/namespace.sh
index 3d6027965..b18c72912 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/namespace.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/namespace.sh
@@ -17,21 +17,11 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 if((!SHOPT_NAMESPACE))
-then	err\_exit "$LINENO" 'warning: shell compiled without SHOPT_NAMESPACE; skipping tests'
+then	warning 'shell compiled without SHOPT_NAMESPACE; skipping tests'
 	exit 0
 fi
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/options.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/options.sh
index 1ed1af2a1..fff41cdd4 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/options.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/options.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 unset HISTFILE
 export LC_ALL=C ENV=/./dev/null
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/path.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/path.sh
index 567407291..4d30d7616 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/path.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/path.sh
@@ -17,19 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-alias warning='err\_exit $((Errors--,LINENO)) warning:'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # to avoid spurious test failures with 'whence -a' tests, we need
 # to remove any duplicate paths to the same directory from $PATH.
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pointtype.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pointtype.sh
index 0b8c2f032..df1011854 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pointtype.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pointtype.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 typeset -T Pt_t=(
 	float x=1
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pty.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pty.sh
index d92c81fde..4638007da 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pty.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/pty.sh
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-: : generated by mkptytests from "posix-sh-*-c.pty" : :
+
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # These are tests for the interactive shell, run in a pseudoterminal utility
 # called 'pty', which allows for scripting interactive sessions and which is
@@ -31,22 +32,7 @@
 # the trickiest part of the tests is avoiding typeahead
 # in the pty dialogue
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors++ ))
-}
-
-alias err_exit='err_exit $lineno'
-alias warning='err\_exit $((Errors--,LINENO)) warning:'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0 lineno=1
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
 whence -q pty || { warning "pty command not found -- tests skipped"; exit 0; }
-
 case $(uname -s) in
 Darwin | FreeBSD | Linux )
 	;;
@@ -54,6 +40,8 @@ Darwin | FreeBSD | Linux )
 	exit 0 ;;
 esac
 
+integer lineno=1
+
 # On some systems, the stty command does not appear to work correctly on a pty pseudoterminal.
 # To avoid false regressions, we have to set 'erase' and 'kill' on the real terminal.
 if	test -t 0 2>/dev/null </dev/tty && stty_restore=$(stty -g </dev/tty)
@@ -223,7 +211,7 @@ u ^hello\r?\n$
 !
 
 if	[[ $(id -u) == 0 ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 096(C)"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 096(C)"
 else
 # err_exit #
 tst $LINENO <<"!"
@@ -268,7 +256,7 @@ u ^ok\r?\n$
 !
 
 if	[[ $(id -u) == 0 ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 099(C)"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 099(C)"
 else
 # err_exit #
 tst $LINENO <<"!"
@@ -379,7 +367,7 @@ u ^done\r?\n$
 !
 
 if	[[ $(id -u) == 0 ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 111(C)"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 111(C)"
 else
 # err_exit #
 ((SHOPT_VSH)) && tst $LINENO <<"!"
@@ -424,7 +412,7 @@ u ^hello world\r?\n$
 !
 
 if	[[ $(id -u) == 0 ]]
-then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 251(C)"
+then	warning "running as root: skipping test POSIX sh 251(C)"
 else
 # err_exit #
 ((SHOPT_VSH)) && tst $LINENO <<"!"
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting.sh
index 089838742..77f6ee074 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors++ ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 binecho=$(whence -p echo)
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting2.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting2.sh
index 4572d786d..ca19ed6ad 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting2.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/quoting2.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 set -o noglob
 if	[[ 'hi there' != "hi there" ]]
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/readcsv.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/readcsv.sh
index 77bedcb67..2b7fd6ac8 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/readcsv.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/readcsv.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 	
 tmp1=$tmp/tmp1.csv
 tmp2=$tmp/tmp2.csv
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/recttype.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/recttype.sh
index dad3e093f..55788e3aa 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/recttype.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/recttype.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 typeset -T Pt_t=(
 	float x=1
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/restricted.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/restricted.sh
index f1eae3614..d5394e935 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/restricted.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/restricted.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 binecho=$(whence -p echo)
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/return.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/return.sh
index 01db3e350..f4f0a9016 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/return.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/return.sh
@@ -19,18 +19,7 @@
 ########################################################################
 # test the behavior of return and exit with functions
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 unset HISTFILE
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/select.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/select.sh
index 487e7e4a9..43eeb714d 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/select.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/select.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 PS3='ABC '
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/shtests b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/shtests
index 922caa03f..902f6af31 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/shtests
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/shtests
@@ -345,9 +345,6 @@ do	[[ $i == *.sh ]] || i+='.sh'
 		glob.sh)	grep -c '^[[:blank:]]*test_[a-z]\{3,\}' $i ;;
 		*)		grep -c err_exit $i ;;
 		esac	)
-	if	(( t > 2 ))
-	then	(( t = t - 2 ))
-	fi
 	tests[$i]=$t
 	T=test
 	if	(( t != 1 ))
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/sigchld.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/sigchld.sh
index 716660f5e..6fa5215bb 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/sigchld.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/sigchld.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 float DELAY=${1:-0.02}
 integer FOREGROUND=10 BACKGROUND=2
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/signal.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/signal.sh
index e927081b8..de6f7f5e9 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/signal.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/signal.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors++ ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 unset n s t
 typeset -A SIG
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/statics.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/statics.sh
index c1b44ceb0..268b07783 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/statics.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/statics.sh
@@ -21,18 +21,7 @@
 # Written by Roland Mainz <roland.mainz@nrubsig.org>
 #
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors < 127 && Errors++ ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 set -o nounset
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/subshell.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/subshell.sh
index 450f44fa7..5018854f5 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/subshell.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/subshell.sh
@@ -17,20 +17,11 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
+
 typeset -F SECONDS  # for fractional seconds in PS4
 
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
-
 builtin getconf
 bincat=$(PATH=$(getconf PATH) whence -p cat)
 binecho=$(PATH=$(getconf PATH) whence -p echo)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/substring.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/substring.sh
index f72985917..74e5c9ead 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/substring.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/substring.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 tmpPS4='+ [temp_PS4|L$LINENO|e$?] '  # used to avoid interference to ${.sh.match} from $PS4 set by shtests
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/tilde.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/tilde.sh
index 9e50b27d1..2847cc068 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/tilde.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/tilde.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r $Command: "$@"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 if	$SHELL -c '[[ ~root == /* ]]'
 then	x=$(print -r -- ~root)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/timetype.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/timetype.sh
index ac3ac6f7d..57f406760 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/timetype.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/timetype.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 typeset -T Time_t=(
 	integer .=-1
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/treemove.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/treemove.sh
index 0aa5774f7..53685a9dc 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/treemove.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/treemove.sh
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@
 # Use is subject to license terms.
 #
 
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
+
 #
 # This test checks whether "typeset -m" correctly moves local variables
 # into a global variable tree.
@@ -53,19 +55,6 @@
 # -- snip --
 #
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
-
 ## test start
 typeset -C tree1 tree2
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/types.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/types.sh
index 91ee33a1b..ee63bfe7e 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/types.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/types.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 integer n=2
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/variables.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/variables.sh
index bdb40b8e3..febdad9c0 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/variables.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/variables.sh
@@ -17,18 +17,8 @@
 #                  David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>                   #
 #                                                                      #
 ########################################################################
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r "${Command}[$1]: ${@:2}"
-	let Errors+=1
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
 
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 [[ ${.sh.version} == "$KSH_VERSION" ]] || err_exit '.sh.version != KSH_VERSION'
 unset ss
@@ -747,17 +737,14 @@ unset r v x
 Errors=$?  # ensure error count survives subshell
 (
 	errmsg=$({ LANG=bad_LOCALE; } 2>&1)
-	if	[[ -z $errmsg ]]
-	then	print -u2 "\t${Command}[$LINENO]: warning: C library does not seem to verify locales: skipping LC_* tests"
-		exit $Errors
-	fi
 	x=x
 	for v in LC_ALL LC_CTYPE LC_MESSAGES LC_COLLATE LC_NUMERIC
 	do	nameref r=$v
 		unset $v
 		[[ $r ]] && err_exit "unset $v failed -- expected '', got '$r'"
-		d=$($SHELL -c "$v=$x" 2>&1)
-		[[ $d ]] || err_exit "$v=$x failed -- expected locale diagnostic"
+		# Test disabled: some system libraries do not verify the locale, so no diagnostic is printed.
+		#d=$($SHELL -c "$v=$x" 2>&1)
+		#[[ $d ]] || err_exit "$v=$x failed -- expected locale diagnostic"
 		{ g=$( r=$x; print -- $r ); } 2>/dev/null
 		[[ $g == '' ]] || err_exit "$v=$x failed -- expected '', got '$g'"
 		{ g=$( r=C; r=$x; print -- $r ); } 2>/dev/null
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree1.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree1.sh
index 09c8f874a..e7d379db4 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree1.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree1.sh
@@ -19,23 +19,12 @@
 ########################################################################
 #
 # variable tree test #001
-# Propose of this test is whether ksh93 handles global variable trees
+# Purpose of this test is whether ksh93 handles global variable trees
 # and function-local variable trees the same way, including "nameref"
 # and "unset" handling.
 #
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 function build_tree
 {
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree2.sh b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree2.sh
index df46d8b41..c5995d71e 100755
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree2.sh
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/tests/vartree2.sh
@@ -19,23 +19,12 @@
 ########################################################################
 #
 # variable tree test #002
-# Propose of this test is whether ksh93 handles global variable trees
+# Purpose of this test is whether ksh93 handles global variable trees
 # and function-local variable trees the same way, including "nameref"
 # and "unset" handling.
 #
 
-function err_exit
-{
-	print -u2 -n "\t"
-	print -u2 -r ${Command}[$1]: "${@:2}"
-	(( Errors+=1 ))
-}
-alias err_exit='err_exit $LINENO'
-
-Command=${0##*/}
-integer Errors=0
-
-[[ -d $tmp && -w $tmp && $tmp == "$PWD" ]] || { err\_exit "$LINENO" '$tmp not set; run this from shtests. Aborting.'; exit 1; }
+. "${0%/*}/_common"
 
 # "built_tree1" and "built_tree2" are identical except the way how they test
 # whether a variable exists: