Informix Error -1271: Missing decimal point in datetime or interval fraction.

Cause and resolution

Missing decimal point in datetime or interval fraction.

A decimal point is expected to appear in a DATETIME or INTERVAL literal when the qualifier of the literal contains the word FRACTION. This statement has such a literal, but no decimal point was found. Inspect the literal qualifiers for missing or misplaced punctuation.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-1271 fires when a DATETIME/INTERVAL literal's qualifier includes FRACTION, but the literal itself has no decimal point — per the official guidance, FRACTION in the qualifier requires a corresponding decimal point in the literal.

A FRACTION qualifier used without a decimal point in the literal, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Inspect the literal qualifiers for missing or misplaced punctuation, per the official guidance — add the decimal point the FRACTION qualifier requires.

Examples

A FRACTION qualifier without a decimal point

SELECT DATETIME(10:30:00) HOUR TO FRACTION(3) FROM orders WHERE order_id = 1;
-- -1271: FRACTION requires a decimal point in the literal

Corrected

SELECT DATETIME(10:30:00.123) HOUR TO FRACTION(3) FROM orders WHERE order_id = 1;

Diagnostic Checks

Check whether the qualifier includes FRACTION, and confirm the literal has a corresponding decimal point.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-1268 — "Invalid datetime or interval qualifier." A related qualifier error, about the qualifier's keywords themselves being invalid rather than a missing decimal point.

FRACTION in the qualifier requires a decimal point in the literal — add the missing decimal point.