Oninit
Talk to an expert →

Informix Error -4403: The number of dimensions for the variable variable-name does not match the number of subscripts.

Cause and resolution

The number of dimensions for the variable variable-name does not match the number of subscripts.

In this statement, the array whose name is shown is subscripted by a different number of dimensions than it was defined to have. Check the punctuation of the subscript. If it is as you intended, then review the DEFINE statement where variable-name is defined.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-4403 fires when an array reference uses a different number of subscripts than the array's declared dimensions — per the official guidance, check the subscript's punctuation, and if it's as intended, review the array's DEFINE statement.

  1. A subscript count that doesn't match the array's declared dimension count, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Check the punctuation of the subscript, per the official guidance.
  2. Review the DEFINE statement where the array is declared, per the official guidance, and match the subscript count to it.
Examples
A subscript count mismatch
DEFINE grid ARRAY[10,10] OF INTEGER
LET x = grid[1]
-- -4403: grid is 2-dimensional, but only one subscript was given
Corrected
LET x = grid[1,1]
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the array's DEFINE statement for its dimension count, and match every reference's subscript count to it.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -4321 — "An array may have the maximum of three dimensions." A related array-dimension error, about the overall dimension limit rather than a specific reference's subscript count.

An array reference's subscript count doesn't match its declared dimension count — check the DEFINE statement and correct the reference.