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Description

This `SQL Routine Exception` error indicates that a function or routine attempted to modify database data in a context where such operations are explicitly forbidden. This typically happens when a function's declared volatility (e.g., `IMMUTABLE`, `STABLE`) contradicts its actual DML actions, or when executed within a read-only transaction.

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Error Message

modifying sql data not permitted

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Incorrect Function Volatility Declaration

A SQL function is declared as `IMMUTABLE` or `STABLE` but its body contains SQL Data Modification Language (DML) statements (e.g., `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, `DELETE`), which are side effects not allowed for these volatility levels.

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Function Called in Restricted Context

A function attempting to modify data is invoked from a database context that requires side-effect-free operations, such as a `CHECK` constraint, `DEFAULT` expression, or an index definition.

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Execution Within Read-Only Transaction

A database transaction has been explicitly set to `READ ONLY`, and a function within that transaction attempts to perform data modification operations.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Grant `UPDATE`, `INSERT`, `DELETE` Privileges easy

Ensure the user has the necessary data modification privileges on the target table.

1

Connect to your PostgreSQL database as a superuser or a user with sufficient privileges to grant permissions.

2

Grant the specific data modification privileges (`UPDATE`, `INSERT`, `DELETE`) to the user or role that is encountering the error. Replace `your_user` with the actual username or role name and `your_table` with the table name.

GRANT UPDATE, INSERT, DELETE ON your_table TO your_user;

3

If you need to grant these privileges on all tables in a schema, use the following command. Replace `your_schema` with the schema name and `your_user` with the username or role name.

GRANT UPDATE, INSERT, DELETE ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA your_schema TO your_user;

4

If the user needs to modify data in tables created in the future, you can set default privileges for the schema.

ALTER DEFAULT PRIVILEGES IN SCHEMA your_schema GRANT UPDATE, INSERT, DELETE ON TABLES TO your_user;

2. Review Table and Schema Permissions easy

Verify that the user has `USAGE` privilege on the schema and `SELECT` privilege on the table.

1

Connect to your PostgreSQL database.

2

Check the privileges for the schema where the table resides. Replace `your_schema` and `your_user`.

SELECT grantee, privilege_type FROM information_schema.role_usage_grants WHERE grantee = 'your_user' AND object_name = 'your_schema';

3

Ensure the user has `USAGE` privilege on the schema. If not, grant it.

GRANT USAGE ON SCHEMA your_schema TO your_user;

4

Check the privileges for the specific table. Replace `your_table` and `your_user`.

SELECT grantee, privilege_type FROM information_schema.table_privileges WHERE grantee = 'your_user' AND table_name = 'your_table';

5

Ensure the user has `SELECT` privilege on the table. While not directly for modification, it's often a prerequisite for other operations and good practice.

GRANT SELECT ON your_table TO your_user;

3. Check for `SECURITY DEFINER` Functions or Views medium

Investigate if the modification is attempted through a `SECURITY DEFINER` function or view that restricts modification.

1

Identify the SQL statement or function that is failing. This often requires looking at application logs or the exact query being executed.

2

If the failing operation is within a PostgreSQL function, check its definition for `SECURITY DEFINER`.

SELECT proname, prosecdef FROM pg_proc WHERE proname = 'your_function_name';

3

If a function is `SECURITY DEFINER`, it executes with the privileges of the function's owner, not the caller. If the owner doesn't have modification rights, or if the function itself is designed to prevent modifications, this error can occur. Consider changing the function to `SECURITY INVOKER` if appropriate for your security model, or ensure the owner has the necessary permissions.

ALTER FUNCTION your_function_name() SECURITY INVOKER;

4

Similarly, examine any views involved. While views themselves don't typically cause this error directly, the underlying tables or the view's definition might have restrictions.

SELECT viewname, definition FROM pg_views WHERE viewname = 'your_view_name';

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Related Errors

5 related errors

PostgreSQL Error 2F002: Modifying SQL Data Not Permitted