This error is generated when a variable is expected to have a certain type but does not. For example, an TYPE field accepts only integer types when a value is assigned to it or retrieved from it. If the variable type is not integer, an error is generated. Check the syntax and usage for system descriptor field names in the discussion of the ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR and GET DESCRIPTOR statements in the IBM Informix Guide to SQL: Syntax. For a discussion of the system descriptor area, see the manual for your embedded-language product.