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Informix Error -476

-476 The LENGTH field must be specified when the type is SQLCHAR.

When you use a SET DESCRIPTOR statement, and TYPE is set to SQLCHAR, the LENGTH field must also be specified and set in the same SET DESCRIPTOR statement.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-476 is another X/Open SET DESCRIPTOR field-pairing rule, similar in spirit to -475: when TYPE is set to SQLCHAR, the LENGTH field must also be specified in the same statement — SQLCHAR is a variable-length-capable type, so the server needs an explicit length rather than inferring one.

  1. A SET DESCRIPTOR statement setting TYPE = SQLCHAR without also setting LENGTH — the direct, only cause.
  2. Code assuming a default or implicit length applies, when SQLCHAR specifically requires it to be stated explicitly.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Specify the LENGTH field whenever TYPE is set to SQLCHAR, per the official guidance, within the same SET DESCRIPTOR statement.
  2. Determine the correct length value from the actual column/host-variable definition being described, rather than guessing or using a placeholder.
Examples
Setting LENGTH alongside TYPE = SQLCHAR
SET DESCRIPTOR 'desc1' VALUE 1 TYPE = SQLCHAR, LENGTH = 50;
The disallowed omission
SET DESCRIPTOR 'desc1' VALUE 1 TYPE = SQLCHAR;
-- -476: LENGTH must also be specified
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check whether TYPE = SQLCHAR is set in the failing statement.
  2. Confirm LENGTH is also specified in the same statement, with an appropriate value.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -475 — "In a GET statement, if DATA is null, then INDICATOR must be specified." A related X/Open descriptor field-pairing rule, in a GET DESCRIPTOR context instead of SET DESCRIPTOR.
  • -474 — "Unknown field type." Another related X/Open descriptor-field restriction, about valid field type keywords generally.

SQLCHAR always needs an explicit LENGTH in the same SET DESCRIPTOR statement — there's no default or inferred value for this specific type.