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Informix Error -7202: Database was created without NLS functionality.

Cause and resolution

Database was created without NLS functionality.

You attempted to create an NCHAR (or NVARCHAR) column or declare an NCHAR (or NVARCHAR) variable, in a non-NLS database.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-7202 fires when an NCHAR/NVARCHAR column or variable is used against a non-NLS database — per the official guidance.

  1. An NCHAR/NVARCHAR column created in a non-NLS database, per the official guidance — the first named case.
  2. An NCHAR/NVARCHAR variable declared while connected to a non-NLS database, per the official guidance — the second named case.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Use CHAR/VARCHAR instead, if NLS functionality isn't actually needed, or
  2. Create/use an NLS-enabled database if NCHAR/NVARCHAR support is required.
Examples
An NCHAR column in a non-NLS database
CREATE TABLE customer (name NCHAR(30));
-- -7202: the current database wasn't created with NLS functionality
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check whether the current database was created with NLS support, and either switch to CHAR/VARCHAR or use an NLS-enabled database.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -7210 — "This server does not have NLS capability." A related NLS restriction, about the database server itself lacking NLS support entirely, rather than a specific database not being NLS-enabled.

An NCHAR/NVARCHAR column or variable was used against a non-NLS database — use CHAR/VARCHAR, or use an NLS-enabled database.