OxCal > Analysis > Errors

# Errors

Error messages come with four levels of severity.

The lowest level is simply information you may wish to know (such as which calibration curve you are using) these are prefixed with the label `INFORM`. The next level up are warning error messages which may give rise to misleading or incorrect results these are given a label `WARN`. Error messages at the next level up `FATAL` will result in the program finishing.

The following is an exhaustive list of the error messages produced by the program during the analysis phase in alphabetical order.

- X-Test fails at 5% - chi squared test has failed with a less than 5% chance of this being a good combination
- X-Test value estimated - For very large number of items an estimate is used for the test level - check with tables if you want
- Assignment conflict - You have tried to define the same parameter twice (e.g. x=a+b and x=c+d)
- Cannot apply constraint - In an MCMC analysis an imposed constraint cannot be imposed; this normally means that the order cannot be resolved
- Cannot be sure of range - A distribution is to be generated in a MCMC sample for which it may not be possible to predict the limits
- Cannot determine value - In an MCMC analysis the value for a parameter cannot be determined
- Cannot extract numerical data - The program cannot understand an attempt to enter numerical data in a command
- Cannot find range - A distribution is to be generated in a MCMC sample for which it is not possible to predict the limits
- Cannot find relationship - Relationship cannot be found for a MCMC sample
- Cannot make array - Either a memory problem or program attempted to make a very large array - reduce resolution if working on very long time scales
- Cannot resolve order - While MCMC sampling - indicates that an order which obeys all the constraints has not been found - if this persists for a long time reconsider constraints
- Command line active - You are trying to compile two command files at once or do so while a command line is active - not really relevant to this version
- Conflicting gaps used with a reference - References have been made to a file with a gap associated with it - the same gap will be assumed for the second occurrence
- Confused boundary set-up - It is not clear which groups of dates this boundary is supposed to be at the edge of
- Curve already defined - cannot set Delta_R or Reservoir - If no filename is defined the program will read back in the previously defined version of this curve; Delta_R and Reservoir should not be set again
- Date may extend out of range - Radiocarbon date that may extend beyond the calibration curve
- Date out of range - Radiocarbon date well beyond range of calibration curve
- Date probably out of range - Radiocarbon date near but probably beyond end of calibration curve
- Duplicate names - While preparing for calculation names have been found which will give rise to identical file names - make first three or last four characters unique for each name
- Extensive use of cross referenced boundaries can cause problems - If you cross reference too many boundaries this can put unexpected biases on the data; try to reformulate the model with fewer cross references
- File not found - A file cannot be found in your working directory
- Files not found - While performing a MCMC sample files were not found
- Improbable value - While MCMC sampling indicates that the sampler has been forced to choose a very unlikely value - this will slow the sampling down - if it continues throughout the sampling reconsider the constraints
- Inappropriate command - An inappropriate command has been issued - consult the command summary for syntax details
- Inappropriate gap error - Gaps are only allowed errors in some types of group and must have them in others - refer to command summary
- Inappropriate nesting - An attempt has been made to use a command within a group in which it is inappropriate
- Incompatible non-linear resolution - When using inverse-square modelling on a 1/t time-scale the resolution of the data files must be the same for all items
- MCMC sample aborted - The MCMC sample was stopped before results could be obtained
- MCMC sample completed - The MCMC sample was allowed to finish completely
- MCMC sample failed - The MCMC sample failed to produce meaningful results
- MCMC sample terminated - The MCMC sample was stopped by the user but results were produced
- Model not supported in this context - Your input file specifies a model that OxCal does not know how to interpret
- Negative value - Some values (such as errors) must be positive
- No boundaries used - check manual - No boundaries have been used in this model; this could lead to unrealistically scattered results; see groupings
- No data found - No probability data found in what should have been a data file
- No outlier model specified - use Outlier_Model() - you have tried to use outlier analysis (Outlier with a probability) without specifying an outlier model; use the Tools to put the default outlier model at the top of your code.
- Not a calendar date - You have tried to combine a non-calendar date with the calendar date combination function
- Not a date - The value given was not a date
- Not a radiocarbon date - You have tried to combine a non-radiocarbon date with the radiocarbon date combination function
- Not calculating range - Due to form of distribution the range cannot be calculated
- Not enough memory - Either a problem with memory or your option files have been altered - re-install program
- NULL distribution - The program failed to produce a distribution - probably due to inappropriate values
- Number out of range - A number has been entered or calculated which is beyond the range of the program - increase the system resolution
- Numbers not found - While reading in relationship file inconsistencies were found in the numbering
- Only possible for linear modelling - If you are using the inverse square modelling on a 1/t time-scale, spans, differences and intervals etc. cannot be used.
- Options can only be set globally - The Options() command must be the first command in a run file
- Parameters not found - A command which requires parameters has not been given them
- Poor agreement - Poor agreement detected (roughly equivalent to chi squared test failure at 5%) - may be due to chance but re-evaluate evidence for constraints
- Poor convergence - Poor convergence detected - convergence values (see mathematical methods) are normally above 95% - see diagnostic tools
- Program active - You are trying to perform an action which is not allowed during calculation or printing - wait until it has finished
- References - Information on the calibration curve and program option references
- Self referential relationship - A relationship has been defined such as t_1 > t_1
- Too many distributions - Too many distributions have been entered for a MCMC sample
- Unable to open - A file could not be opened - check protection
- Values undefined - At start of MCMC sampling indicates that constraints cannot be applied - should clear fairly quickly
- ZERO distribution - A distribution has been produced with zero probability