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Informix Error -4638: The maximum size for varchar must be between 1 and 255.

Cause and resolution

The maximum size for varchar must be between 1 and 255.

To store strings longer than 255 characters you must use the CHAR data type.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-4638 fires when a VARCHAR declaration specifies a maximum size outside 1 to 255 — per the official guidance, strings longer than 255 characters require the CHAR data type instead.

  1. A VARCHAR size outside the 1-255 range, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Reduce the VARCHAR size to 255 or fewer, per the official guidance, if that's sufficient.
  2. Use CHAR instead of VARCHAR, per the official guidance, for strings longer than 255 characters.
Examples
An oversized VARCHAR
DEFINE notes VARCHAR(500)
-- -4638: VARCHAR's maximum size is 255
Corrected
DEFINE notes CHAR(500)
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check every VARCHAR declaration's size, and switch to CHAR for anything over 255.
Related Errors / Related Topics

No closely related error codes are cross-referenced for -4638 in this set yet.

A VARCHAR declaration's size is outside 1-255 — use CHAR instead for strings longer than 255 characters.