Informix Error -4143: Functions called in the WHENEVER statement cannot return values.

Cause and resolution

Functions called in the WHENEVER statement cannot return values.

The WHENEVER statement in the program has the form WHENEVER condition CALL function, and the function that is being called is declared with a RETURNING clause. The function call in this context cannot return any values.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-4143 fires when a WHENEVER condition CALL function statement names a function declared with a RETURNING clause — per the official guidance, the function call in this context can't return any values.

The function named in WHENEVER ... CALL is declared with a RETURNING clause, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Use a function with no RETURNING clause in the WHENEVER ... CALL statement.

Examples

A WHENEVER CALL to a function that returns a value

FUNCTION handleError() RETURNING INTEGER
  ...
END FUNCTION

WHENEVER ERROR CALL handleError
-- -4143: handleError() returns a value, which is not allowed here

Corrected

FUNCTION handleError()
  ...
END FUNCTION

WHENEVER ERROR CALL handleError

Diagnostic Checks

Check the function named in every WHENEVER ... CALL statement, and confirm it has no RETURNING clause.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-4142 — "Functions called in the WHENEVER statement cannot require parameters." A closely related WHENEVER ... CALL restriction, about the function's parameters rather than its return value.

A WHENEVER ... CALL function is declared with a RETURNING clause, which isn't allowed — use a function that returns nothing.