Informix Error -1802: Connection name in use.

Cause and resolution

Connection name in use.

A connection with the same connection name has already been made. Each connection must have a unique connection name. Rename the connection, and try again.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-1802 fires when a CONNECT TO ... AS clause reuses a connection name that's already in use — per the official guidance, each connection must have a unique connection name.

A CONNECT TO ... AS clause naming a connection name already established, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Rename the connection, and try again, per the official guidance.

Examples

Reusing a connection name

CONNECT TO 'stores7@server_a' AS conn1;
CONNECT TO 'other_db@server_b' AS conn1;
-- -1802: conn1 is already in use

Corrected

CONNECT TO 'stores7@server_a' AS conn1;
CONNECT TO 'other_db@server_b' AS conn2;

Diagnostic Checks

Check whether the connection name is already in use before issuing CONNECT TO ... AS.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-1803 — "Connection does not exist." The mirror-image restriction: SET CONNECTION/ DISCONNECT referencing a name that isn't established, rather than CONNECT TO reusing one that already is.

The connection name is already in use — rename it and try again.