Informix Error -22278: Cannot open COBOL 'whenever' file file-name.

Cause and resolution

Cannot open COBOL 'whenever' file file-name.

The directory in which the COBOL temporary files are being created (usually /tmp or whatever is specified when the DBTEMP environment variable is set) is full. No room is available to open new files. Check this directory and free some space. Since Version 5.01, the IBM Informix SE database server uses the DBTEMP environment variable, but IBM Informix Dynamic Server and IBM Informix OnLine Dynamic Server do not.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-22278 fires when the directory used for COBOL temporary files (typically /tmp, or the DBTEMP-configured directory) is full — per the official guidance, no room is available to open new files.

The COBOL temporary-file directory being full, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause; note that only IBM Informix SE (since v5.01) uses DBTEMP — IBM Informix Dynamic Server/OnLine Dynamic Server don't.

Solutions / Resolution

Check the temporary-file directory and free some space, per the official guidance.

Examples

Checking DBTEMP (Informix SE) or /tmp

$ echo $DBTEMP
$ df -h /tmp

Diagnostic Checks

Check the free space on the COBOL temporary-file directory (DBTEMP on Informix SE, otherwise /tmp), and free space if it's full.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-22279 — "Cannot open COBOL temp file file-name." The same class of temporary- directory-full error, for a general COBOL temp file rather than specifically the whenever file.

The COBOL temporary-file directory was full, blocking the whenever file's creation — free space in it.