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Description

This warning indicates an attempt to supply a NULL value to a column that has been explicitly defined as NOT NULL in the database schema. MariaDB does not throw an error but converts the NULL value to the column's default value (or an implicit default like 0 or an empty string) and issues this warning. It highlights a potential data integrity issue or a mismatch between expected and actual data.

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Error Message

Column set to default value; NULL supplied to NOT NULL column '%s' at row %ld

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Missing or NULL Value in INSERT/UPDATE

An SQL INSERT or UPDATE statement explicitly attempts to set a NOT NULL column to NULL, or omits a value for a NOT NULL column that does not have an explicit default.

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Application Data Mismatch

Application code or an ORM passes a NULL value to the database for a column that is defined as NOT NULL, often due to unvalidated user input or incorrect data handling.

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Schema Definition Oversight

The database schema defines a column as NOT NULL, but the application or data source occasionally provides NULL values, indicating a potential mismatch between data requirements and schema design.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Provide a Default Value for the NOT NULL Column easy

Modify the table schema to include a default value for the affected column.

1

Identify the table and the specific column causing the error. The error message will often provide this information (e.g., '%s' will be the column name).

2

Connect to your MariaDB instance using a client like `mysql` or MariaDB Workbench.

mysql -u your_user -p your_database

3

Alter the table to add a `DEFAULT` constraint to the `NOT NULL` column. Replace `your_table`, `your_column`, and `your_default_value` with your actual table name, column name, and a suitable default value.

ALTER TABLE your_table MODIFY COLUMN your_column VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'your_default_value';

4

If the column is of a numeric type, use a numeric default. For example:

ALTER TABLE your_table MODIFY COLUMN your_column INT NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;

5

If the column is a date/time type, you might use `CURRENT_TIMESTAMP`:

ALTER TABLE your_table MODIFY COLUMN your_column TIMESTAMP NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

6

Re-run the operation that caused the error. It should now succeed without inserting `NULL`.

2. Explicitly Provide a Value in Your INSERT/UPDATE Statement easy

Ensure that your SQL statements always provide a non-NULL value for the affected column.

1

Locate the `INSERT` or `UPDATE` statement that is failing. The error message often points to the specific row and column.

2

Examine the `VALUES` clause of your `INSERT` statement or the `SET` clause of your `UPDATE` statement.

3

For the column identified in the error message (e.g., '%s'), ensure you are providing a valid, non-NULL value instead of leaving it blank or attempting to insert `NULL`.

-- Incorrect statement (might cause the error):
INSERT INTO your_table (column1, your_column, column3) VALUES ('value1', NULL, 'value3');

-- Corrected statement:
INSERT INTO your_table (column1, your_column, column3) VALUES ('value1', 'a_valid_value', 'value3');

4

If you are dynamically generating SQL (e.g., from an application), verify that your code is correctly mapping data to the `NOT NULL` column and not passing `NULL` values.

5

Re-run the corrected SQL statement.

3. Allow NULL Values for the Column (If Appropriate) medium

Change the column's definition to allow NULL values if the data model permits it.

1

Determine if it is semantically correct for the column to hold `NULL` values based on your application's logic and data requirements.

2

Connect to your MariaDB instance.

mysql -u your_user -p your_database

3

Alter the table to remove the `NOT NULL` constraint. Replace `your_table` and `your_column` with your actual table and column names.

ALTER TABLE your_table MODIFY COLUMN your_column VARCHAR(255) NULL;

4

If you also want to provide a default value in addition to allowing NULLs, you can combine the two.

ALTER TABLE your_table MODIFY COLUMN your_column VARCHAR(255) NULL DEFAULT 'some_optional_value';

5

Re-run the operation that was causing the error.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1263: NULL to NOT NULL Column