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Informix Error -4109

-4109 An expression of type DATE or DATETIME is expected.

In an EVENT statement, a function definition or declaration, an EXTERNAL REPORT statement, a HANDLER statement, a function invocation, or just an expression, the compiler found something other than a DATE or DATETIME expression.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-4109 fires when a context accepting either DATE or DATETIME finds something else — per the official guidance, this can occur in an EVENT statement, a function definition or declaration, an EXTERNAL REPORT statement, a HANDLER statement, a function invocation, or a plain expression.

  1. A non-DATE/non-DATETIME expression used where either is required, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Supply a genuine DATE or DATETIME expression, converting the value first if needed.
Examples
A non-date expression where DATE or DATETIME is required
EVENT MyEvent(qty INTEGER)
-- -4109: if qty is used somewhere requiring DATE or DATETIME
Corrected
EVENT MyEvent(d DATE)
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the expression's actual type against the context accepting DATE/DATETIME, and convert it if necessary.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -4106 — "An expression of type DATETIME is expected." A related, stricter type-requirement covering only DATETIME.
  • -4107 — "An expression of type INTEGER or SMALLINT is expected." The same type-requirement pattern applied to integer types.
  • -4108 — "An expression of type DATE is expected." A related, stricter type-requirement covering only DATE.

A DATE or DATETIME expression is required but something else was found — supply or convert to one of those types.