📋

Description

This error signifies that the PostgreSQL database system encountered an operation, query, or feature request that it does not support. It commonly occurs when attempting to utilize functionality not present in the current PostgreSQL version, a specific configuration, or through an incompatible client application.

💬

Error Message

feature not supported

🔍

Known Causes

4 known causes

⚠️

Version Incompatibility

The SQL syntax, function, or feature you are attempting to use is not available in your specific PostgreSQL server version.

⚠️

Missing Database Extension

The functionality requires a specific PostgreSQL extension that has not been installed or enabled in your database instance.

⚠️

Client Application Mismatch

Your client application or driver is attempting to use a feature that is not supported by the PostgreSQL server version it's connected to.

⚠️

Server Configuration Limit

The database server's configuration has explicitly disabled or restricted the use of the attempted feature.

🛠️

Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Identify and Remove Unsupported Feature medium

Pinpoint the specific feature causing the error and remove or replace it.

1

Examine the SQL query or DDL statement that is triggering the error. The error message 'feature not supported' usually accompanies a specific statement. Look for syntax or constructs that are not standard SQL or are specific to a different database system.

Example of a potential unsupported feature (e.g., syntax specific to Oracle or MySQL):

-- Oracle specific syntax
CREATE TABLE my_table (
    id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR2(100)
);

-- MySQL specific syntax
CREATE TABLE another_table (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    description TEXT
);

2

Consult the PostgreSQL documentation for the version you are using to confirm if the feature is indeed unsupported. Common unsupported features include certain data types, functions, or syntax elements from other RDBMS.

Visit the official PostgreSQL documentation website: https://www.postgresql.org/docs/

3

Rewrite the query or DDL using PostgreSQL-compatible syntax. For instance, `NUMBER` in Oracle might be `BIGINT` or `INTEGER` in PostgreSQL, and `VARCHAR2` is typically `VARCHAR` or `TEXT`.

PostgreSQL equivalent for the Oracle example:

CREATE TABLE my_table (
    id BIGSERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);

PostgreSQL equivalent for the MySQL example:

CREATE TABLE another_table (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    description TEXT
);

2. Check PostgreSQL Version Compatibility easy

Ensure the feature you're using is supported by your current PostgreSQL version.

1

Determine the exact PostgreSQL version you are running. You can do this by connecting to your database and running the following command:

SELECT version();

2

Identify the feature that is causing the 'Unsupported Feature Attempted' error. This might be a newer SQL standard feature, a specific extension, or a function introduced in a later PostgreSQL release.

Example: If you are trying to use a window function that was introduced in PostgreSQL 9.3, but you are running PostgreSQL 9.2, this error will occur.

3

Refer to the PostgreSQL release notes or documentation for your specific version to verify if the feature is supported. If it's not, you have two main options: upgrade PostgreSQL or find an alternative approach that works with your current version.

Search for 'PostgreSQL <version> release notes' online, e.g., 'PostgreSQL 14 release notes'.

4

If upgrading is not immediately feasible, refactor your code to use features that are available in your current PostgreSQL version. This might involve using older syntax, different functions, or a more complex sequence of operations.

If a new aggregate function is unsupported, you might need to use a combination of `GROUP BY` and subqueries or common table expressions (CTEs) to achieve the same result.

3. Verify External Tool or Driver Compatibility easy

Ensure your client tools and drivers are compatible with your PostgreSQL version.

1

Identify the client application, programming language driver, or ORM that is executing the SQL statement. This error can sometimes arise if the tool or driver is attempting to use a feature that is not understood by the PostgreSQL server, or if it's sending commands in a format that the server doesn't recognize.

Examples: A very old JDBC driver for PostgreSQL might not support newer SQL features. An ORM configured with an incorrect dialect might generate incompatible SQL.

2

Check the documentation for your client tool, driver, or ORM to ensure it's compatible with your PostgreSQL server version. Look for any specific configuration settings related to the PostgreSQL dialect or version.

For example, if using a Python application with SQLAlchemy, ensure you have the correct PostgreSQL dialect installed and configured: `pip install psycopg2-binary` and in your SQLAlchemy connection string: `postgresql://user:password@host:port/database`

3

Update your client tools, drivers, or ORM to the latest stable versions. Developers often release updates to improve compatibility with newer PostgreSQL features and fix bugs.

Example: Update JDBC driver by replacing the JAR file with a newer version from the PostgreSQL JDBC Driver project website.

Example: Update Python driver: `pip install --upgrade psycopg2-binary`

4

If you are using an ORM, re-examine its configuration and the generated SQL. Sometimes, the ORM might be instructed to use a specific feature that is not supported by your PostgreSQL version, or there might be a bug in the ORM's SQL generation.

In ORMs like Hibernate or SQLAlchemy, you might need to explicitly set the `dialect` or `driver` to match your PostgreSQL version.

🔗

Related Errors

5 related errors

PostgreSQL Error 0A000: Unsupported Feature Attempted