Informix Error -4108

Reasons / Common Causes

-4108 fires when a context requiring a DATE expression instead finds something else — per the official guidance, this can occur in an EVENT statement, a function definition or declaration, an EXTERNAL REPORT statement, a HANDLER statement, a function invocation, or a plain expression.

1. A non-DATE expression used where DATE is required, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Supply a genuine DATE expression, converting the value first if needed.

Examples

A non-DATE expression where one is required

EVENT MyEvent(d DATETIME YEAR TO SECOND)
-- -4108: if d is used somewhere requiring plain DATE

Corrected

EVENT MyEvent(d DATE)

Diagnostic Checks

1. Check the expression's actual type against the context requiring DATE, and convert it if necessary.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -4106 — "An expression of type DATETIME is expected." The same type-requirement pattern applied to DATETIME instead of DATE.
• -4107 — "An expression of type INTEGER or SMALLINT is expected." The same type-requirement pattern applied to integer types instead of DATE.
• -4109 — "An expression of type DATE or DATETIME is expected." The same type-requirement pattern, accepting either DATE or DATETIME.

A DATE expression is required but something else was found — supply or convert to a genuine DATE value.