Informix Error -8108: A user variable or parameter must have a length which is greater than zero.

Cause and resolution

A user variable or parameter must have a length which is greater than zero.

Make sure that every CHAR and VARCHAR field in the DEFINE section has a nonzero length specification.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-8108 fires when a CHAR/VARCHAR field in the DEFINE section has a zero length — per the official guidance.

A CHAR/VARCHAR field declared with zero length, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Make sure every CHAR and VARCHAR field in the DEFINE section has a nonzero length specification, per the official guidance.

Examples

A zero-length CHAR field

DEFINE
  VARIABLE
    status CHAR(0)
    -- -8108: length must be greater than zero

Corrected

DEFINE
  VARIABLE
    status CHAR(10)

Diagnostic Checks

Check every CHAR/VARCHAR field in the DEFINE section, and confirm its length is greater than zero.

Related Errors / Related Topics

No closely related error codes are cross-referenced for -8108 in this set yet.

A CHAR/VARCHAR field has a zero length — give it a nonzero length.