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Informix Error -21611: Syntax error at line line-number. Expect ifdef, ifndef, else or endif after '^'.

Cause and resolution

Syntax error at line line-number. Expect ifdef, ifndef, else or endif after '^'.

If this internal error recurs, note all circumstances and contact IBM Informix Technical Support.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-21611 fires when an mkmessage input file has a ^ preprocessor marker not followed by one of the recognized directive keywords — per the official guidance.

  1. A ^ marker followed by something other than ifdef, ifndef, else, or endif, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Correct the directive keyword following ^ at the reported line, per the official guidance's implication, to one of ifdef/ifndef/else/endif.
Examples
An unrecognized directive
^ifdfe SOME_MACRO
Corrected
^ifdef SOME_MACRO
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the reported line for a misspelled or unrecognized directive keyword following ^, and correct it.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -21613 — "Syntax error at line line-number. Expect ifdef, ifndef, else or endif." The same class of preprocessor directive-keyword error, worded without the after '^' qualifier.

A ^ preprocessor marker wasn't followed by a recognized directive keyword — correct it to ifdef/ifndef/else/endif.