Informix Error -23196: Unknown locale in selected database.

Cause and resolution

Unknown locale in selected database.

The locale information that is stored in the system catalog systables of the selected database does not match the value that the DB_LOCALE environment variable specifies. Check the value of DB_LOCALE. If it is correct, drop the database and re-create it with the correct value of DB_LOCALE.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-23196 fires when the locale information stored in the selected database's systables catalog doesn't match the value DB_LOCALE specifies — per the official guidance.

DB_LOCALE not matching the database's stored locale information, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Check the value of DB_LOCALE, per the official guidance.
If DB_LOCALE is correct, drop and re-create the database with the correct DB_LOCALE value, per the official guidance.

Examples

Checking DB_LOCALE

$ echo $DB_LOCALE

Diagnostic Checks

Compare DB_LOCALE's value against the database's actual stored locale information, and correct whichever is wrong.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-23197 — "Database locale information mismatch." A related database-locale error, on specific GL_CTYPE/GL_COLLATE catalog values disagreeing with DB_LOCALE rather than the locale being entirely unrecognized.

DB_LOCALE didn't match the selected database's stored locale — check DB_LOCALE, or drop and re-create the database with the correct value.