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Description

This error indicates that an interval specified in an `EVENT` definition is either a non-positive value (zero or negative) or exceeds the maximum allowable size for an interval. It typically occurs during the creation or alteration of scheduled events in MariaDB, preventing the event from being properly defined.

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Error Message

INTERVAL is either not positive or too big

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Non-Positive Interval Value

The `INTERVAL` clause in an `EVENT` statement was defined with a value of zero or a negative number, which is not permitted for scheduling future events.

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Interval Value Exceeds Limits

The specified interval duration is excessively large, surpassing the internal data type limits MariaDB uses to store and calculate event schedules.

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Incorrect Interval Expression Calculation

The result of an arithmetic expression used to define the `INTERVAL` evaluates to a value that is either non-positive or too large, leading to an invalid interval.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Correct Invalid EVENT INTERVAL Values easy

Adjust event intervals to be positive and within acceptable bounds.

1

Identify the `EVENT` statement that is causing the error. Look for the `INTERVAL` clause.

SELECT EVENT_NAME, EVENT_DEFINITION FROM information_schema.events WHERE EVENT_SCHEMA = 'your_database_name';

2

Review the `INTERVAL` value. Ensure it is a positive integer and not excessively large. For example, `INTERVAL 0 SECOND` or `INTERVAL 1000000000 DAY` would be invalid.

ALTER EVENT your_event_name ON SCHEDULE AT 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS' EVERY INTERVAL 10 MINUTE; -- Example of a valid interval

3

Modify the `EVENT` statement to use a valid `INTERVAL`. If you intended to schedule an event to run immediately, consider using `AT CURRENT TIMESTAMP` or a small positive interval.

ALTER EVENT your_event_name ON SCHEDULE AT CURRENT TIMESTAMP + INTERVAL 1 MINUTE; -- Example of a valid correction

2. Verify Event Scheduling Syntax easy

Ensure the syntax for scheduling events, including the `INTERVAL` keyword, is correct.

1

Examine the `CREATE EVENT` or `ALTER EVENT` statement. Pay close attention to how the `INTERVAL` keyword is used.

CREATE EVENT my_event ON SCHEDULE EVERY 1 HOUR DO INSERT INTO my_table (col1) VALUES (1); -- Correct syntax

-- Incorrect example: CREATE EVENT my_event ON SCHEDULE 1 HOUR DO ...

2

Confirm that the `INTERVAL` is followed by a valid time unit (e.g., `SECOND`, `MINUTE`, `HOUR`, `DAY`, `WEEK`, `MONTH`, `YEAR`) and a positive numeric value.

CREATE EVENT my_event ON SCHEDULE EVERY 5 DAY DO ... -- Valid
CREATE EVENT my_event ON SCHEDULE EVERY 0 DAY DO ... -- Invalid
CREATE EVENT my_event ON SCHEDULE EVERY DAY DO ... -- Invalid (missing numeric value)

3

Correct any syntax errors by ensuring the `INTERVAL` is properly structured.

ALTER EVENT your_event_name ON SCHEDULE EVERY 1 WEEK; -- Corrected syntax

3. Check for Negative or Zero Intervals easy

Explicitly check and correct any negative or zero values used with `INTERVAL`.

1

Query the `information_schema.events` table to find events with potentially problematic `INTERVAL` values in their `EVENT_DEFINITION` or `EVENT_SCHEDULE`.

SELECT EVENT_NAME, EVENT_DEFINITION FROM information_schema.events WHERE EVENT_DEFINITION LIKE '%INTERVAL -%' OR EVENT_DEFINITION LIKE '%INTERVAL 0%';

2

Manually review the output of the query. If you find any events with negative or zero intervals, you need to alter them.

SHOW CREATE EVENT your_event_name;

3

Modify the event to use a positive interval. For example, if an event was intended to run every day but was mistakenly set to `INTERVAL 0 DAY`, change it to `INTERVAL 1 DAY`.

ALTER EVENT your_event_name ON SCHEDULE EVERY 1 DAY; -- Corrected from INTERVAL 0 DAY

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1542: Invalid Event Interval