Informix Error -2810: The name name is not an existing database name.

Cause and resolution

The name name is not an existing database name.

This name, which was found in the DATABASE statement at the start of the form specification, is not a database that can be found. If you are using IBM Informix SE, the database must reside either in the current directory or in a directory that the DBPATH environment variable names.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-2810 fires when the database named in a form specification's DATABASE statement doesn't exist — per the official guidance, on IBM Informix SE specifically, the database must be in the current directory or a path named by DBPATH.

A misspelled database name, per the official guidance's implicit first check.
On IBM Informix SE, the database not being in the current directory or on DBPATH, per the official guidance — the specific, named cause for that platform.

Solutions / Resolution

Check the spelling of the database name in the DATABASE statement.
On IBM Informix SE, confirm the database is in the current directory or on DBPATH, per the official guidance.

Examples

Checking DBPATH (IBM Informix SE)

$ echo "$DBPATH"
$ ls "$DBPATH"

Diagnostic Checks

Check the database name's spelling, and (on IBM Informix SE) confirm it's reachable via the current directory or DBPATH.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-2800 — "The first line of the specification must be the keyword database followed by the database name..." A related DATABASE-statement error, about the statement's own syntax rather than the named database not existing.

The named database doesn't exist — check spelling and (on IBM Informix SE) DBPATH.