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Informix Error -47086: Cannot specify current as default value with non-datetime column type.

Cause and resolution

Cannot specify current as default value with non-datetime column type.

You cannot assign a default value consisting of the current time from the system clock when the column data type is not DATETIME. Modify the column data type to DATETIME (if permitted), or specify a different default value for the column.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-47086 fires in the interactive ALTER TABLE menu when a CURRENT-based default value is specified for a non-DATETIME column — per the official guidance.

  1. CURRENT specified as a default value for a non-DATETIME column, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Change the column's data type to DATETIME, if permitted, per the official guidance.
  2. Or specify a different default value, per the official guidance.
Examples
N/A

No specific triggering statement is documented beyond this menu-driven default-value restriction.

Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the column's data type, and either change it to DATETIME or choose a different default value.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -47090 — "Cannot specify today as a default value with this column type." A related default-value/type-mismatch error, for TODAY and DATE columns rather than CURRENT and DATETIME.

CURRENT can only be a default value for a DATETIME column — change the type or choose a different default.