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Description

Error 1063, 'Incorrect column specifier', indicates an issue with the syntax used to define a column within a SQL statement. This typically occurs during table creation or alteration when a data type, length, or other column attribute is specified incorrectly or is incompatible with MariaDB's syntax.

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Error Message

Incorrect column specifier for column '%s'

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Invalid Data Type Syntax

The specified data type for a column is misspelled, non-existent, or used with incorrect syntax (e.g., missing parentheses for length).

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Incorrect Length or Precision

The length, precision, or scale defined for a numeric or string data type is invalid, out of range, or used where it's not applicable.

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Misplaced Column Modifiers

Attributes like `UNSIGNED`, `ZEROFILL`, `NOT NULL`, or `DEFAULT` are used in an incorrect position within the column definition sequence.

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Conflicting Column Attributes

Attempting to combine incompatible attributes, such as specifying a length for `TEXT` or `BLOB` types, or using `UNSIGNED` with non-numeric types.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Correct Data Type Syntax easy

Ensure the data type and any associated modifiers are correctly specified for the column.

1

Review the `CREATE TABLE` or `ALTER TABLE` statement that is causing the error.

2

Verify that the data type for the problematic column (identified by '%s' in the error message) is valid and correctly spelled according to MariaDB's supported data types.

-- Example of correct syntax:
CREATE TABLE my_table (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
    email VARCHAR(100) UNIQUE,
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

3

Pay close attention to modifiers like `UNSIGNED`, `ZEROFILL`, `NOT NULL`, `DEFAULT`, and character set/collation specifications. Ensure they are placed correctly.

-- Incorrect: INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL
-- Correct: INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL
-- Incorrect: VARCHAR(255) DEFAULT 'N/A' CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci
-- Correct: VARCHAR(255) CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci DEFAULT 'N/A'

4

Re-execute the corrected SQL statement.

2. Validate Column Definition Components medium

Check for misplaced or invalid keywords, constraints, or options within the column definition.

1

Identify the exact SQL statement producing the error. The error message often indicates the column name involved.

2

Examine the definition of the specified column for any syntax errors. Common mistakes include:

3

Incorrect placement of `PRIMARY KEY`, `UNIQUE`, `FOREIGN KEY`, or `DEFAULT` clauses. These are typically specified after the data type and nullability.

-- Incorrect:
CREATE TABLE users (
    user_id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
    username VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL UNIQUE
);

-- Correct:
CREATE TABLE users (
    user_id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    username VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL UNIQUE
);

4

Typographical errors in keywords like `AUTO_INCREMENT`, `UNSIGNED`, `ZEROFILL`, `CHARACTER SET`, `COLLATE`, etc.

5

Unbalanced parentheses or missing commas between column definitions.

6

Ensure that any constraints applied to the column (like `CHECK` constraints) use correct syntax and valid expressions.

-- Example of a valid CHECK constraint:
CREATE TABLE products (
    product_id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
    price DECIMAL(10, 2) CHECK (price >= 0)
);

7

Correct any identified syntax issues and re-run the statement.

3. Review MariaDB Version-Specific Syntax advanced

Ensure the column definition syntax is compatible with your specific MariaDB server version.

1

Determine the exact version of your MariaDB server. You can find this by running:

SELECT VERSION();

2

Consult the official MariaDB documentation for your specific version to verify the correct syntax for data types, modifiers, and constraints. Newer versions might introduce new features or deprecate older ones.

3

Pay attention to the nuances of specific data types. For example, the definition of `ENUM` or `SET` types requires specific formatting.

-- Correct ENUM syntax:
CREATE TABLE orders (
    order_status ENUM('pending', 'processing', 'shipped', 'delivered') DEFAULT 'pending'
);

4

If you are migrating a schema from another database system or an older MariaDB version, carefully review the column definitions for any syntax that might be unsupported or has changed.

5

Adjust the column definition to conform to the syntax rules of your current MariaDB version and re-execute.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1063: Invalid Column Definition Syntax