Informix Error -4151

-4151 Constructor cannot be called directly.

A constructor cannot be called directly using the CALL statement or as the function in a function call expression. The constructor should be invoked indirectly using the NEW operator.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-4151 fires when a class constructor is invoked via CALL or as a function-call expression — per the official guidance, constructors must be invoked indirectly through the NEW operator.

A constructor called directly via CALL or as a function-call expression, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Invoke the constructor indirectly using the NEW operator, per the official guidance.

Examples

Calling a constructor directly

CALL Order()
-- -4151: constructors cannot be called directly

Corrected

DEFINE o Order
LET o = NEW Order()

Diagnostic Checks

Check for any direct CALL to a class constructor, and replace it with NEW.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-4012 — "You can only specify a base clause for class constructors." A related constructor-declaration rule, about base clauses rather than direct invocation.

A constructor is called directly — use the NEW operator instead.