Informix Error -4322: The symbol column-name is not the name of a column in the specified database.

Reasons / Common Causes

-4322 fires when a named column doesn't exist in its stated table within the database named by the most recent DATABASE statement — per the official guidance, the table exists, but the column doesn't appear in it.

1. A misspelled column name, per the official guidance — the first named cause.
2. The table was altered or the column renamed, per the official guidance — the second named cause.
3. The wrong database was accessed, per the official guidance — the third named cause.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Check the spelling of the column name, per the official guidance.
2. If it's spelled as intended, check whether the table was altered, the column renamed, or the wrong database is being accessed, per the official guidance.

Examples

Checking a table's actual columns

SELECT colname FROM syscolumns c, systables t
  WHERE c.tabid = t.tabid AND t.tabname = 'orders';

Diagnostic Checks

1. Check the column name's spelling against the actual table schema, and confirm the correct database is being accessed.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -4320 — "The symbol table-name is not the name of a table in the specified database." A related schema-mismatch error, about a missing table rather than a missing column.

A named column doesn't exist in its stated table — check its spelling, the table's schema, and the active database.