Error
Error Code:
3738
MySQL Error 3738: Invalid Geographic SRS Parameter
Description
This error occurs when attempting to create or modify a Spatial Reference System (SRS) with an invalid `inverse_flattening` value. The `inverse_flattening` parameter is crucial for defining the geometric shape of an ellipsoid or sphere within a geographic coordinate system, and its value must adhere to specific mathematical rules.
Error Message
The inverse flattening must be larger than 1.0, or 0.0 if the ellipsoid is a sphere.
Known Causes
4 known causesIncorrect Ellipsoid Parameter
The `inverse_flattening` value provided for an ellipsoidal SRS definition is not greater than 1.0, which is a mathematical requirement for defining an ellipsoid's shape.
Invalid Sphere Parameter
When defining an SRS as a perfect sphere, the `inverse_flattening` value must be explicitly set to 0.0, but an incorrect non-zero value was specified.
Typographical Error
A simple data entry mistake or typo in the SQL statement or configuration file resulted in an invalid numeric value for the `inverse_flattening` parameter.
Misunderstanding of SRS Geometry
The attempt to define an SRS used an incorrect mathematical understanding of how `inverse_flattening` relates to ellipsoidal and spherical geometries.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Correcting Inverse Flattening in Spatial Reference System (SRS) Definition medium
Adjust the inverse flattening value in your SRS definition to be greater than 1.0 or 0.0 for a spherical ellipsoid.
1
Identify the spatial reference system (SRS) definition causing the error. This is often found in table definitions using `ST_GeomFromText` or `ST_SRID` functions, or within spatial index definitions.
TEXT2
Locate the definition of the SRS. If you're using a custom SRS, you'll need to examine its definition. The inverse flattening parameter is typically part of the ellipsoid definition within the SRS.
TEXT3
Modify the inverse flattening value. Ensure it's set to a value greater than 1.0. If the ellipsoid is intended to be a perfect sphere, set it to 0.0.
TEXT4
Re-apply the corrected SRS definition to your table or spatial index. If this is a new table creation, correct it before running the `CREATE TABLE` statement.
SQL
-- Example of correcting an SRS definition within a CREATE TABLE statement
CREATE TABLE your_table (
id INT PRIMARY KEY,
geom GEOMETRY
) ENGINE=InnoDB;
-- If you need to explicitly set an SRS with a corrected inverse flattening,
-- you'd typically do this when creating the spatial index or using functions.
-- For demonstration, let's assume you found an SRS definition with bad inverse flattening
-- and need to replace it with a valid one (e.g., WGS 84, EPSG:4326):
ALTER TABLE your_table ADD SPATIAL INDEX(geom);
-- The error usually occurs when defining an SRS that is not standard or has incorrect parameters.
-- If you are defining a custom SRS, ensure its parameters are valid.2. Using Standardized Spatial Reference Systems (EPSG Codes) easy
Replace custom SRS definitions with well-defined, standard EPSG codes to avoid invalid parameter issues.
1
Determine if your spatial data can be represented using a standard SRS. Common examples include WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) for geographic coordinates or a suitable projected SRS for your region.
TEXT2
If you're defining a table with a spatial column, specify the SRID using a known EPSG code.
SQL
CREATE TABLE your_table (
id INT PRIMARY KEY,
geom GEOMETRY NOT NULL SRID 4326
) ENGINE=InnoDB;
3
If you are inserting or transforming spatial data, ensure you are using the correct SRID.
SQL
-- Example of inserting data with SRID 4326
INSERT INTO your_table (id, geom)
VALUES (1, ST_GeomFromText('POINT(13.404954 52.520008)', 4326));
4
If you have existing spatial data with an invalid SRS, you may need to re-insert or transform it into a table with a valid SRID.
SQL
-- Example of transforming data from an old table to a new one with SRID 4326
-- Assuming 'old_table' has 'geom_old' with an invalid SRS
-- CREATE TABLE new_table (id INT PRIMARY KEY, geom GEOMETRY NOT NULL SRID 4326);
-- INSERT INTO new_table (id, geom)
-- SELECT id, ST_Transform(geom_old, 4326) FROM old_table;
3. Verifying and Updating MySQL Spatial Extensions advanced
Ensure your MySQL installation has up-to-date spatial extensions, as older versions might have bugs or incomplete SRS definitions.
1
Check your MySQL server version. Spatial extensions are built-in and evolve with MySQL releases.
SQL
SELECT VERSION();
2
Consult the MySQL documentation for your specific version to understand the supported SRS definitions and any known issues with spatial functions.
TEXT3
If you are using a very old version of MySQL, consider upgrading to a more recent version that has improved spatial support and more robust SRS handling. This is a significant undertaking and requires careful planning and testing.
BASH
# Example of checking for MySQL updates (OS dependent)
# For Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade mysql-server
# For Red Hat/CentOS:
sudo yum update mysql-server
4
After upgrading, re-test your spatial operations. If the error persists, it's likely an issue with the specific SRS definition being used, not the MySQL version itself.
TEXT