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Informix Error -16396: Cannot use BLOBs in this expression.

Cause and resolution

Cannot use BLOBs in this expression.

You asked the Debugger to use a TEXT or BYTE variable in an expression. Variables of these types can only be displayed with PRINT or DUMP statements, or assigned null values using the LET statement.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-16396 fires when a TEXT/BYTE variable is used somewhere other than PRINT, DUMP, or a null-value LET assignment — per the official guidance.

  1. A TEXT/BYTE variable used in an ordinary expression, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Only display TEXT/BYTE variables with PRINT/DUMP, or assign them null via LET, per the official guidance.
Examples
Using a TEXT variable in arithmetic
> PRINT mytext + 1
Corrected
> PRINT mytext
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the expression for a TEXT/BYTE variable used outside PRINT/DUMP/null LET.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -16395 — "Cannot compare BLOBs to any other value." The specific case of this restriction for comparison expressions.
  • -16397 — "Can print only BLOB variables with program =." A related TEXT/BYTE restriction, about PRINT's PROGRAM = clause being BLOB-only.

A TEXT/BYTE variable was used in an unsupported expression context — only PRINT/DUMP or a null LET assignment are allowed.