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Informix Error -8357: Function <funcname> Out of memory exception.

Cause and resolution

Function <funcname> Out of memory exception.

Explanation:The database server needed to allocate memory in order to process the query, but none was available.This error might reflect a hardware limit, an operating-system configuration limit, or a temporary shortage of space. Action:Try the query again after a delay. If it still fails, consult your system administrator. If possible, revise your query to join fewer tables, to order or group on fewer columns, or to operate in two or more separate statements. On DOS systems, exit to the operating-system command line, free some disk space or reduce the complexity of your program, and resubmit the program.If the problem persists, contact IBM Informix Technical Support to resolve the problem.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-8357 fires when the database server needs to allocate memory to process the query but none is available — per the official guidance, this might reflect a hardware limit, an operating-system configuration limit, or a temporary shortage.

  1. A hardware memory limit, per the official guidance — the first named cause.
  2. An operating-system configuration limit, per the official guidance — the second named cause.
  3. A temporary memory shortage, per the official guidance — the third named cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Try the query again after a delay, per the official guidance.
  2. Consult your system administrator if it still fails, per the official guidance.
  3. Revise the query to join fewer tables, order/group on fewer columns, or split it into multiple statements, per the official guidance.
  4. On DOS systems, free disk space or reduce program complexity and resubmit, per the official guidance.
  5. If the problem persists, contact IBM Informix Technical Support, per the official guidance.
Examples
N/A

No specific triggering statement is documented beyond general memory exhaustion during query processing.

Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check system memory availability, and simplify the query (fewer joins, less grouping/ordering) if the issue persists.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -8354 — "Function Exception received for ICU memory allocation." A related memory-exhaustion error, specific to ICU allocation rather than query processing generally.

The database server ran out of memory processing the query — try again later, or simplify the query.