Database - What does this error mean, and how do I fix it?

[si_the_geek]

The following is a list of database related errors that often appear on the forums, along with an explanation of what the errors mean and suggestions for how to solve them.

First of all please note that list is for errors that occur when specifically working with databases/data, so if your error is occurring in "normal" code the advice here (even if it has the same error message) is unlikely to be entirely relevant/accurate. If this is the case, please see the advice that follows the list.


Error messages can vary by database system & connection technology, so the text in the message may differ slightly from what is listed – but the cause/solution are likely to be the same.

• "Could not find installable ISAM"
• "Data source name not found and no default driver specified."
  
  
• "Syntax error in .. clause"
• "No value given for one or more required parameters."
• "Too few parameters. Expected ..."
  
  
• ".. Type mismatch .."
  
  
• "String or Binary data would be truncated"
• "The field is too small to accept the amount of data..."
  
  
• "Item cannot be found in the collection corresponding to the requested name or ordinal"
• "Item not found in this collection"
  
  
• "Either BOF or EOF is True..."
  
  
• "Operation is not allowed when the object is closed."
• "Operation is not allowed when the object is open."
• "The connection cannot be used to perform this operation. It is either closed or invalid in this context."
  
  
• "Unrecognized database format"
  
  
• "Multi-step OLE DB operation generated errors. ..."

Something not listed here?   Suggestions didn't help?
If your problem wasn't listed above (or the suggestions didn't solve the problem), there is still hope!

If you are using Classic VB (VB6 or earlier, or the VB editor in an Office application) then see if the error is in the Classic VB equivalent of this page, which can be found here.

For errors relating to code that is not specifically working with data in/from a database, please see the appropriate FAQ page for your environment (such as the Classic VB FAQs for VB6 or earlier, or the Office Development FAQs for an Office program).

For errors that are data/database related...

• If your error is not listed above, see if there is a separate article for it within our Database Development FAQ's (as it may be a Database/Language specific issue).
  
  
• For problems with SQL statements, see if How can I find out why my SQL isn't working? helps.
  
  
• If you still need help, please post the details as a new thread in our Database Development forum, including as much detail as you can (see here for the kind of info we are likely to need).