1. Database errors INF-<...> or ISAM-<...>
You can display the meaning of Informix database errors using the "finderr" top. Call this top as an Informix user or <SID>adm:
finderr <error no.> (for example, finderr 271)
(you can omit the " - " for negative error code; but you must precede positive error codes with a "+"; for example, finderr +10)
In most cases, both INF- and ISAM errors are displayed in. It is important that you analyze both of them together.
2. Error of the type errno = < ... >
These are errors that are specifically related to operating systems. On most UNIX platforms, you can view the meaning of the particular error code in the file /usr/INCLUDE/sys/errno. h.
The corresponding command under Windows NT and W2K is
net helpmsg <error no.>
3. Text messages in the online log file
For an explanation of these text messages, see Chapter 36 "Message Log Messages" in the "Informix Administrator's Guide".
Here is a short extract from the most important messages:
Error messages -1 to -99
Error messages -1 to -99 are return codes of the operating system.
Error messages -100 to -199
Error messages -100 to -199 are Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM) errors. These messages indicate problems with physical access to data or corruption in data structures.
Error messages -200 to -899
Error messages -200 to -899 indicate problems in the execution of SQL statements.
Error messages greater than -900
These are error messages specifically related to Informix.
Positive return codes
These rather infrequent error messages mainly indicate display configuration and startup problems.
4. Error messages in the ON bar activity log
The ON bar activity log may display both return codes of the ON bar itself as well as return codes of the Storage Manager used. Some of these are described in note 79776. If the error messages originate from the Storage Manager, refer to the relevant manufacturers documentation.
5. Error message ARC-<...>
The Onarchive error codes are described in the "Archive and Backup Guide for Informix Dynamic Server Chapter 11". SAP notes are also available for the most important error messages (find these using the relevant ARC-<...> error).