Informix Error -4118: Expressions of this data type are not allowed in constant expressions.

Reasons / Common Causes

-4118 fires when a constant expression uses a data type that isn't allowed there — per the official guidance, this may also follow other, already-reported errors against the same expression.

1. A constant expression using an unsupported data type, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Correct any other errors that might have been reported against this expression, per the official guidance.
2. Recompile, per the official guidance.

Examples

An unsupported type in a constant expression

CONSTANT default_photo = someByteValue
-- -4118: BYTE is not allowed in constant expressions

Corrected

CONSTANT max_photo_size = 65536

Diagnostic Checks

1. Check the data type of every value in a constant expression, and confirm it's a supported type, fixing any earlier-reported errors first.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -4117 — "A constant expression is expected here." A related constant-expression error, about the expression failing to evaluate at compile time at all, rather than using an unsupported data type.

A constant expression uses an unsupported data type — check its type and fix any earlier errors first.