Natural System Error Messages 0251-0300

NAT0251: File/DDM not defined for PROCESS statement.

Text
File/DDM not defined for PROCESS statement.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0252: Library must not be specified in security environment.

Text
Library must not be specified in security environment.
Explanation
In an environment which is protected by Natural Security,
the specification of a library is not possible.
Action
Do not specify a library.

NAT0253: Statement not allowed for DB2 access.

Text
Statement not allowed for DB2 access.
Explanation
The following statements and constructions are not supported by DB2:
1. FIND UNIQUE
2. FIND COUPLED
3. FIND FIRST
4. FIND ... RETAIN AS
5. GET
6. any reference to *ISN
7. END TRANSACTION within an open database loop
8. BACKOUT TRANSACTION within an open database loop
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0254: Receiving field of VAL function has invalid format.

Text
Receiving field of VAL function has invalid format.
Explanation
The VAL function extracts a numeric value from an alphanumeric or
Unicode field. The content of the field must be the character
representation of a numeric value. Leading or trailing blanks are
permitted. Decimal character and leading sign character will be
processed. The result can be assigned to a field of format Packed,
Numeric, Floating, Integer, Date or Time.
Action
Do not assign the result of the VAL function to a field with a format
other than P/N/F/I/D/T.

NAT0255: General syntax error detected in program.

Text
General syntax error detected in program.
Explanation
A general syntax error was detected while syntax checking a source
program.
This message is output for various miscellaneous syntax errors
for which Natural does not provide specific error messages.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0256: Invalid entry in command line.

Text
Invalid entry in command line.
Explanation
The structure of the command does not require the parameters that
have been specified in the command line.
Natural checks that the parameter specification agrees with the
parameter structure expected by the individual command.
Another reason for this error is that ADHOC is missing in batch mode.
Action
Check command structure and resubmit.

NAT0257: Only operators 'EQUAL', 'NOTEQUAL' valid with MASK/SCAN.

Text
Only operators 'EQUAL', 'NOTEQUAL' valid with MASK/SCAN.
Explanation
It is not possible to evaluate the operators GREATER or LESS THAN for
a value when only certain positions are included in the comparison.
Therefore, the only logical operator that are allowed with the special
compare function MASK and SCAN are 'EQUAL' and 'NOTEQUAL'.
Action
Restructure the logical criteria to only use operators 'EQUAL'
or 'NOTEQUAL' with the functions MASK and SCAN.

NAT0258: Incorrect MASK argument construction.

Text
Incorrect MASK argument construction.
Explanation
The mask value must be enclosed in parentheses and may only
contain the elements as described in the Natural
documentation; see also extended error message NAT0017.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0259: Invalid MASK construction for date check.

Text
Invalid MASK construction for date check.
Explanation
When a date check is to be performed, the specification for
month/day/year must be 2 characters each (MM/DD/YY);
for year, 4 characters (YYYY) may also be used.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0260: Error in text list construction; contact administrator.

Text
Error in text list construction; contact administrator.
Explanation
A discrepancy was detected in the number of alternative entries
in the text list and the syntax list.
The error is caused by an invalid modification of the text list.
New entries can only be inserted in the text list by using the
macro CSYN for synonym, not the macro CALT for alternative.
Action
Retain the keyword on which the error has been detected
and contact your Natural administrator.

NAT0261: END statement missing.

Text
END statement missing.
Explanation
The last statement of a Natural program must always be END.
Alternatively, a period '.' may be used.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0262: Incorrect number of digits, or value out of range.

Text
Incorrect number of digits, or value out of range.
Explanation
For a field of format N or P, the overall maximum number
of digits is 29, and the maximum number of digits after
the decimal point is 29.
For a field of format F, the value specified must be in the range of
values as described in the Natural documentation on
floating-point constants.
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0263: Invalid MASK construction for range check.

Text
Invalid MASK construction for range check.
Explanation
If a range check is to be performed, both values for the supplied
range must have the same number of positions.
Leading zeros must be supplied, as it is a check for positions in
the value and the number of digits supplied in the range value.
The number of positions to be included in the range check must also
be specified.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0264: Length of alphanumeric or unicode constant is zero.

Text
Length of alphanumeric or unicode constant is zero.
Explanation
The length of an alphanumeric or unicode constant must be
greater than zero.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0265: Error in hexadecimal constant: :1:.

Text
Error in hexadecimal constant: ....
Explanation
1) Invalid hexadecimal character found.
   A hexadecimal constant may consist only of characters 0-9 or A-F.
2) Invalid number of characters specified.
   - The hexadecimal notation for constants of format A (H'..') requires
     2 characters to represent one byte. Therefore, the number of
     hexadecimal characters supplied must be a multiple of 2.
   - The hexadecimal notation for constants of format U (UH'..')
     requires 4 characters to represent one Unicode code unit.
     Therefore, the number of hexadecimal characters supplied must be a
     multiple of 4.
Action
Correct error.

NAT0266: Number of bytes defined by hexadecimal constant > 80.

Text
Number of bytes defined by hexadecimal constant > 80.
Explanation
Hexadecimal constants are converted to internal byte representation
in an intermediate buffer of 80 bytes.
If literal constants of more than 80 bytes internal representation
are to be defined, use the notation 'XXXXXX'-'XXXXXX' to enter
the value in multiple segments.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0267: Invalid file specification in COUPLED clause.

Text
Invalid file specification in COUPLED clause.
Explanation
The file specified in a COUPLED clause must be an Adabas file which has
been physically coupled using the appropriate Adabas utility program.
The file must not be a logical Natural system file.
Action
Check program and correct error;
or contact your Natural administrator about the file status.

NAT0268: Invalid format/length for database count variable.

Text
Invalid format/length for database count variable.
Explanation
The format of the count variable for a periodic-group name or
multiple-value field must be N or P.
No decimal digits are permitted.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0269: Invalid descriptor in SORTED BY clause.

Text
Invalid descriptor in SORTED BY clause.
Explanation
The descriptor specified in the SORTED BY clause cannot be within
a periodic group. If the descriptor is a multiple-value field, an
index value must not be used.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0270: Invalid use of variable index notation.

Text
Invalid use of variable index notation.
Explanation
1. Variable index notation is not permitted with a
   search variable in the WITH clause of a FIND statement.
2. A variable array index (1:V) must not be used for redefine fields.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0271: Page width (line size) exceeded in DISPLAY statement.

Text
Page width (line size) exceeded in DISPLAY statement.
Explanation
The total number of positions required for all columns
resulting from a DISPLAY statement must not exceed the
logical page size.
Action
Reduce number of fields being displayed, or reduce spacing between
columns, or increase the logical page size (where applicable), or
place multiple values vertically in the same column.

NAT0272: Invalid value format or incompatible field format.

Text
Invalid value format or incompatible field format.
Explanation
In a SCAN condition, the
- format of the value to be scanned for must be 'A', 'B' or 'U';
- format of the field to be scanned must be 'A', 'N', 'P' or 'U';
- length of the value must be less than the length of the field.
In a MASK condition, the
- format of the field to be tested must be 'A', 'N', 'P' or 'U';
- format combination of first and second operand must be compatible;
- first operand must not be smaller than the mask.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0273: Error :1: in line :2: of data area :3: processing :4:.

Text
Error ... in line ... of data area ... processing ....
Explanation
As indicated in the error message, an error has occurred in a
specific line of a data area while processing a variable.
Action
Correct error in data area.

NAT0274: Error :1: in line :2: of copycode :3: processing :4:.

Text
Error ... in line ... of copycode ... processing ....
Explanation
As indicated in the error message, an error has occurred in a
specific line of a copycode while processing a variable.
Action
Correct error in copycode.

NAT0275: RETRY statement only allowed in ON ERROR statement block.

Text
RETRY statement only allowed in ON ERROR statement block.
Explanation
The RETRY statement can only be used as a response to error NAT3145,
which indicates that a record to be read for update is currently
in 'hold' status for another user.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0276: Invalid reference to count of field in periodic group.

Text
Invalid reference to count of field in periodic group.
Explanation
When referencing the count of the number of occurrences of an
elementary field within a periodic group, the name of the periodic
group must be used, not the name of the elementary field.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0277: A global variable must not redefine another variable.

Text
A global variable must not redefine another variable.
Explanation
For reasons of addressability, parameter variables must not be defined
by redefining an already existing variable.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0278: Value to be used in SET CONTROL must be format 'A'.

Text
Value to be used in SET CONTROL must be format 'A'.
Explanation
The value (constant or variable) used to specify a terminal
command with a SET CONTROL statement must be alphanumeric.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0279: Count requested for a non-array field.

Text
Count requested for a non-array field.
Explanation
The count field only exists for database fields that are defined
as multiple-value fields, periodic groups, or multiple-value fields
within a periodic group.
If the count of a multiple-value field within a periodic group is to be
accessed, an index must be specified to indicate the occurrence of the
multiple-value field in the periodic group for which the count is being
requested.
The field for which you have requested a count of occurrences is
neither a multiple-value field nor a periodic group.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0280: Index entry incorrectly specified for field.

Text
Index entry incorrectly specified for field.
Explanation
An index was specified for a variable for which indexing is not
permitted.
Index specifications may only be used when defining/referencing an
array. A database array can only be defined for a multiple-value field
and for fields within a periodic group. If used as a search-variable in
the WITH clause of a FIND statement, a multiple-value field must not be
supplied with an index.
When referencing an array, an index range specification was detected
which exceeds the index range defined for one of its dimensions.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0281: Index entry missing or invalid for an array.

Text
Index entry missing or invalid for an array.
Explanation
When a multiple-value field or a field within a periodic group is
referenced, an index must be specified to indicate the occurrence of
the value to be selected.
Default indices are created in WRITE or DISPLAY statements based on
the setting of the session parameters MC and PC.
A variable to be used as a variable index must have been previously
defined before it can be used as an index notation.
If a non-database field has been defined as an array, an index for
each dimension must be specified when referencing the field.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0282: Only one index/range specification allowed.

Text
Only one index/range specification allowed.
Explanation
For multiple-value fields, or fields within a periodic group,
only one index or range of indices may be specified.
Two indices are only allowed for multiple-value fields within
a periodic group.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0283: Field or variable :1: defined more than once.

Text
Field or variable ... defined more than once.
Explanation
If DEFINE DATA is used:
A variable declared on level 1 must not be defined a second time,
neither on level 1 nor on any other level.
Without DEFINE DATA:
A variable or database field can only be defined once using a
format/length specification. When the variable is referenced in the
program, no further format/length specification is possible.

If the first field definition was made in a data area (LDA,GDA)
which was included with a "DEFINE DATA .. USING .." statement, a further
message (NAT0297) is put on the error stack, which indicates the data
area name, the library and DB/FNR from which the field was included
first. This message can be displayed with the system command LASTMSG.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0285: Field reference error; reference invalid or missing.

Text
Field reference error; reference invalid or missing.
Explanation
Probable reasons for this error message:
- You mistyped the variable name.
- The variable name you specified has not yet been declared.
- A specific database reference has been supplied, but the field is
  not present in the file referenced.
- The value of a Natural system function has been referenced in the
  form *FUNCTION(FIELD), but no evaluation of the referenced system
  function has occurred for the field.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0286: Invalid use of function, system function or sys. variable.

Text
Invalid use of function, system function or sys. variable.
Explanation
- Natural system functions and Natural system variables may only
  be used in a specific statement syntax within a Natural program.
- The value of a system function or system variable may be assigned
  to a variable and then referenced.
- In an INPUT statement, most system functions can only be used as
  output fields, but not as input fields.
- The only system variable that can be used as an argument in the
  system function POS is *COM.
- A Natural function call is not allowed in this context.

For further information on Natural functions, Natural system functions
or Natural system variables, see the Natural documentation.
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0287: No access to database field; or REDEFINE variable exists.

Text
No access to database field; or REDEFINE variable exists.
Explanation
Either the access to a database field is not possible at this point;
or a variable to be used in a REDEFINE statement has previously been
defined.
A database field can only be referenced within an active processing
loop. If the loop has been closed, a reference to fields from that
database access is no longer possible. If you wish to use a value of
a database field outside an active processing loop, assign the value
to a user-defined variable.
This error also occurs if a 4-digit array occurrence is incorrectly
specified. 4-digit array occurrences must be preceded by a slash;
for example, #ARRAY(/1000), not #ARRAY(1000).
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0288: Index/format not permitted in Natural system function.

Text
Index/format not permitted in Natural system function.
Explanation
Format or length must not be specified for the reference to a Natural
system function that had been previously evaluated nor for the reference
to a Natural system variable.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0289: Referenced field is not a descriptor.

Text
Referenced field is not a descriptor.
Explanation
The reference to a database field at this point requires that the
field is a descriptor.
Descriptors are required in the WITH clause of a FIND statement, as
sequence fields in a READ LOGICAL statement, or when indicating the
field for which values are to be provided in a HISTOGRAM statement.
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0290: Sub/super/hyper/phonetic descriptor field improperly used.

Text
Sub/super/hyper/phonetic descriptor field improperly used.
Explanation
A sub/superfield or sub/superdescriptor may be read from the database
with an access statement (READ, FIND, HISTOGRAM, GET), but cannot be
referenced in an update statement (STORE, UPDATE).
The value for a hyper- and phonetic descriptor can only be used in a
search criterion, but cannot be read from the database.
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0291: Format for database field incompatible.

Text
Format for database field incompatible.
Explanation
The format used for a database field is not compatible with the
format of the field as defined in the data dictionary.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0292: Requested field is not integer or has invalid length.

Text
Requested field is not integer or has invalid length.
Explanation
The operation requires the value of an integer field. This can be an
integer constant, or a user-defined variable or database field of
integer format.
This error occurs if:
- the field is of a format other than integer, or
- the length of the field is not valid.
Action
Use an integer format/length valid for the operand.

NAT0293: Index range entry specified where not allowed.

Text
Index range entry specified where not allowed.
Explanation
A single index entry is required for this type of function; an index
range is not permitted.
Single index entries are required, for example, in the WITH clause
of a FIND statement to indicate a specific occurrence of a periodic
group field, or to specify the descriptor to be used for sequence
control in a READ LOGICAL statement.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0294: Intermediate storage overflow in arithmetic statement.

Text
Intermediate storage overflow in arithmetic statement.
Explanation
An overflow of an internal stack has occurred during the evaluation
of an arithmetic expression.
The internal stack is used to sequence the execution of arithmetic
operations according to the parenthetical structure.
Action
Reduce the number of operations to be performed within a single
arithmetic operation.

NAT0295: Operand in arithmetic statement is not numeric.

Text
Operand in arithmetic statement is not numeric.
Explanation
Only operands of format 'N' (numeric unpacked) or 'P' (packed numeric)
are allowed in arithmetic expression. A numeric operand can be defined
as a constant or as the content of a variable.
Action
Check program and correct error.

NAT0296: Invalid search criteria in FIND statement.

Text
Invalid search criteria in FIND statement.
Explanation
When evaluating complex search criteria, such as one with logical
operator 'OR', several separate database calls may be required.
For a single FIND statement, a maximum of 64 database calls can be
generated internally.
Action
Reduce the number of search criteria.

NAT0297: Field :1: previously defined in (:2:/:3:/:4:/:5:).

Text
Field :1: previously defined in (:2:/:3:/:4:/:5:).
Explanation
The variable :1: was declared twice. The first definition of the field
was included via data area :2:, which was loaded from library :3:,
database :4:, file number :5:.
Action
Correct error in program.

NAT0298: Incorrect parameters specified in SET KEY statement.

Text
Incorrect parameters specified in SET KEY statement.
Explanation
A push-button (PB=), menu (ME=), or bitmap (BM=) clause
was detected in a SET KEY statement, but the corresponding
parameters were incorrectly specified.
Action
See the Natural documentation for detailed information.

NAT0299: Total length of intermediate result exceeds 31 digits.

Text
Total length of intermediate result exceeds 31 digits.
Explanation
Natural supports operands up to a length of 31 digits.
The length of intermediate results as operands is evaluated
according to the rules for arithmetic operations.
See the Natural documentation for details.
Action
Check the digits of intermediate results according to the rules.
Separate the arithmetic expression into several statements using
explicit intermediate results.

NAT0300: Operands are not data transfer compatible.

Text
Operands are not data transfer compatible.
Explanation
According to the format rules for data transfer,
the source operand cannot be assigned to the destination field.
For more information, see the Natural documentation,
topic 'Rules for Arithmetic Assignment'.
Action
Check program and correct error.