Informix Error -16384: Line in .4db file exceeds maximum length.

Cause and resolution

Line in .4db file exceeds maximum length.

You cannot have more than 256 characters in a single Debugger command line. If you are using semicolon (;) command separators, break the line into separate commands.

Avoid Debugger commands that have more characters in a single line than your screen or list device can display. Use the backslash continuation symbol to divide long command lines into shorter segments, or use aliases.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-16384 fires when a single Debugger command line exceeds 256 characters — per the official guidance.

A command line longer than 256 characters, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

If using semicolon (;) separators, break the line into separate commands, per the official guidance.
Use the backslash continuation symbol to split long lines into shorter segments, or use aliases, per the official guidance.

Examples

Splitting a long command with a continuation

> ALIAS f = { \
    STEP; \
    STEP }

Diagnostic Checks

Check the .4db file's line lengths, and split any over 256 characters using ;, backslash continuation, or aliases.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-16309 — "Internal buffer limit exceeded." The same 256-character command-line limit, encountered interactively rather than from a .4db file.

A .4db file's line exceeds 256 characters — split it using ;, backslash continuation, or aliases.