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Informix Error -1137

-1137 Cannot open window.

The cause of the problem is a lack of data memory. Change the logic of the program to keep fewer windows open concurrently, or use fewer global variables.

For 4GL programs, -1319 replaces this error.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-1137 fires when a window can't be opened due to insufficient data memory — per the official guidance, this is a memory constraint rather than a sizing/terminal issue (compare -1135/-1136); -1319 is the equivalent error for 4GL programs specifically.

  1. Too many windows open concurrently, per the official guidance's named contributor — each open window consumes data memory.
  2. A large number of global variables, per the official guidance's other named contributor — reducing available memory for windows.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Maintain fewer concurrent windows, per the official guidance, closing windows that aren't actively needed.
  2. Reduce the number of global variables used, per the official guidance, freeing up data memory for windows.
Examples
Closing windows no longer needed
CLOSE WINDOW w_lookup
OPEN WINDOW w_detail AT 1, 1 WITH FORM "order_detail"
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Count how many windows are open concurrently at the point this error occurs.
  2. Review the program's global variable usage, since a large number of globals also reduces available memory for windows.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -1135 — "The row or column number in DISPLAY AT exceeds the limits of your terminal." A related window/terminal error, about position rather than memory.
  • -1136 — "Window is too large to fit on the screen." A related window error, about sizing rather than memory.
  • -1319 — The 4GL-program equivalent of this same window-memory condition.

Insufficient data memory to open the window — close unneeded windows and/or reduce global variable usage (see -1319 for the 4GL-program equivalent).