Informix Error -9504: The argument number is out of bounds for the ascii function. Arguments must be between 0 and 255, inclusive.

Cause and resolution

The argument number is out of bounds for the ascii function. Arguments must be between 0 and 255, inclusive.

The input to the ASCII function must be a number between 0 and 255. Examine the use of this function in the report specification. If the improper value number came from a command-line parameter, you might consider testing it with an IF statement.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-9504 fires when the argument passed to the report's ASCII function is outside the 0-255 range — per the official guidance.

An ASCII function argument outside 0-255, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Examine the use of the ASCII function in the report specification, per the official guidance.
If the improper value came from a command-line parameter, consider testing it with an IF statement, per the official guidance.

Examples

An out-of-range ASCII argument

LET c = ASCII(300)   -- -9504: 300 is outside 0-255

Corrected — guarding with an IF statement

IF param >= 0 AND param <= 255 THEN
    LET c = ASCII(param)
END IF

Diagnostic Checks

Check the value passed to ASCII() — especially if it originates from a command-line parameter — and guard it with an IF statement if out of range.

Related Errors / Related Topics

No closely related error codes are cross-referenced for -9504 in this set yet.

An ASCII function argument was outside the valid 0-255 range — guard the value with an IF statement.