Informix Error -9634: No cast from <type-name>. </type-name>

Reasons / Common Causes

-9634 fires when a needed cast, or its cast function, doesn't exist — per the official guidance.

1. The cast not defined, per the official guidance — the first named cause.
2. The cast function not existing, per the official guidance — the second named cause.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Use the CREATE CAST statement to define the cast, per the official guidance.
2. Or create the cast function, per the official guidance.

Examples

Using a cast that was never defined

SELECT CAST(col AS other_type) FROM tab;   -- -9634 if no cast exists

Corrected

CREATE CAST (source_type AS other_type WITH cast_func);
SELECT CAST(col AS other_type) FROM tab;

Diagnostic Checks

1. Check the system catalog for the cast and its cast function, and create whichever is missing.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -9633 — "ALTER TABLE cannot modify column (column_name) type. Need a cast from the current type to the new type." A related missing-cast error, specific to ALTER TABLE.
• -9635 — "An attempt has failed to convert an opaque type into another type without a cast function." A related missing-cast error, specific to opaque-type conversion.
• -9637 — "Cast function (function_name) does not exist." A related missing-cast error, on the cast function specifically rather than the cast itself.

The needed cast or cast function didn't exist — define it with CREATE CAST/CREATE FUNCTION.