Informix Error -50997: [Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixSQLStmt::describe() member function was called before the ixSQLStmt was prepared.

Reasons / Common Causes

-50997 is a Connectivity Class Library (ixSQLStmt/ixSQLConnect C++ class API) message — per the official guidance, the dialog reads "[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixSQLStmt::describe() member function was called before the ixSQLStmt was prepared.".

1. No separate cause is given beyond the message text itself: "[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixSQLStmt::describe() member function was called before the ixSQLStmt was prepared", per the official guidance — the dialog's own wording is the full explanation.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Call ixSQLStmt::prepare() or ixSQLStmt::execDirect() before calling ixSQLStmt::describe()., per the official guidance.

Examples

N/A

No specific triggering SQL statement applies — this is a Connectivity Class Library runtime message rather than a database-engine error.

Diagnostic Checks

1. Confirm the exact circumstance described in the official text before taking corrective action — the dialog's own wording ("[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixS…") is usually specific enough to act on directly.
2. Confirm the ixSQLStmt/ixSQLConnect call sequence matches the order the API requires (e.g. prepare()/execDirect() before describe-style calls).

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -50995 — "[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixSQLStmt describeCol()…" A related Connectivity Class Library message.
• -50996 — "[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Column out of range in call to ixSQLStmt::describeCo…" A related Connectivity Class Library message.

No separate cause is given beyond the message text itself: "[Informix][Connectivity Class Library]Function sequence error: The ixSQLStmt::describe() member function was called before the ixSQLStmt was prepared"