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Description

This error indicates that a SQL statement attempting to define a database object (such as a table, view, or function) contains a syntax error or violates internal definition rules. It typically occurs when the provided SQL is malformed or incomplete.

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Error Message

invalid object definition

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Malformed SQL Syntax

The SQL statement used to define the object contains incorrect keywords, missing punctuation, or improper structural elements.

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Invalid Object Naming

Attempting to use a reserved keyword as an object name or violating PostgreSQL's specific naming conventions for objects.

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Missing Required Parameters

The object definition is incomplete, lacking mandatory arguments or attributes specific to its type (e.g., column types for a table).

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Incompatible Object Attributes

Defining an object with attributes that are mutually exclusive or violate PostgreSQL's internal rules for that specific object type.

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Solutions

4 solutions available

1. Review and Correct Object Definition Syntax easy

Inspect the SQL statement that created or altered the object and correct any syntax errors.

1

Identify the object that is causing the error. This might be a table, view, function, index, or other database object.

2

Locate the SQL statement used to create or alter this object. This could be in your application's schema migration scripts, a stored procedure, or directly executed SQL.

3

Carefully examine the SQL statement for any syntax errors. Common issues include missing commas, incorrect data types, misplaced keywords, or invalid object names.

-- Example of a common syntax error:
CREATE TABLE my_table (id INT PRIMARY KEY, name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL, age INT, email VARCHAR(100)
-- Missing closing parenthesis here

4

Correct the syntax errors in the SQL statement and re-execute it.

-- Corrected example:
CREATE TABLE my_table (id INT PRIMARY KEY, name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL, age INT, email VARCHAR(100));

2. Check for Data Type Mismatches or Invalid Values medium

Ensure that all data types used in the object definition are valid and that any default or constraint values are appropriate.

1

When creating or altering a table, pay close attention to the data types assigned to columns. Ensure they are valid PostgreSQL data types (e.g., INT, VARCHAR, TIMESTAMP, BOOLEAN).

-- Incorrect data type usage:
CREATE TABLE products (product_id INT, price DECIMAL(10,2), stock_count INTEGER, description TEXT, launch_date DATETIME); -- DATETIME is not a standard PostgreSQL type

2

If the error occurs during the creation of a function or procedure, verify that the argument and return types are correctly specified and exist.

-- Example of potential issue in a function:
CREATE FUNCTION calculate_total(price NUMERIC, quantity INT) RETURNS REAL AS $$
  BEGIN
    RETURN price * quantity;
  END;
$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;

3

If default values are specified for columns, ensure they are compatible with the column's data type.

-- Example: Default value incompatible with data type
CREATE TABLE users (id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY, username VARCHAR(50), registration_date DATE DEFAULT 'invalid-date');

4

Correct any invalid data types or incompatible default values and re-execute the SQL statement.

-- Corrected example:
CREATE TABLE products (product_id INT, price DECIMAL(10,2), stock_count INTEGER, description TEXT, launch_date DATE);

3. Verify Object Dependencies and Permissions medium

Ensure that any objects referenced by the definition exist and that the user has the necessary permissions.

1

If the object definition references other database objects (e.g., a view referencing a table, a function using another function), verify that those referenced objects exist and are accessible.

-- Example: View referencing a non-existent table
CREATE VIEW active_users AS SELECT * FROM non_existent_users_table;

2

Check the permissions of the user executing the `CREATE` or `ALTER` statement. The user needs appropriate privileges (e.g., `CREATE` on the schema, `USAGE` on sequences if applicable, `SELECT` on referenced tables for views).

3

Use `psql` or a GUI tool to query the system catalogs for object existence and grants. For example, to check for a table: `\d <table_name>` or `SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM pg_tables WHERE tablename = '<table_name>');`

-- Check if a table exists:
SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM pg_tables WHERE schemaname = 'public' AND tablename = 'my_table');

-- Check grants for a user on a table:
SELECT * FROM pg_catalog.pg_get_userbyid(grantor) AS grantor_name,
       pg_catalog.pg_get_userbyid(grantee) AS grantee_name,
       pg_class.relname AS object_name,
       pg_catalog.array_to_string(ARRAY(SELECT unnest(aclarray) FROM pg_catalog.pg_class WHERE oid = pg_class.oid), ',') AS privileges
FROM pg_catalog.pg_class
LEFT JOIN pg_catalog.pg_namespace ON pg_class.relnamespace = pg_namespace.oid
WHERE pg_class.relname = 'my_table' AND pg_namespace.nspname = 'public';

4

If dependencies are missing, create them. If permissions are insufficient, grant the necessary privileges to the user.

-- Granting CREATE privilege on a schema:
GRANT CREATE ON SCHEMA public TO my_user;

-- Granting SELECT on a table:
GRANT SELECT ON my_table TO my_user;

4. Inspect and Correct Invalid Object Names or Identifiers easy

Ensure that all object names and identifiers conform to PostgreSQL naming conventions and are properly quoted if necessary.

1

Review the object definition for any invalid characters or reserved keywords used as identifiers.

-- Invalid identifier: using a reserved keyword 'user' without quoting
CREATE TABLE user (id INT);

2

If object names contain spaces, special characters, or are case-sensitive and you want to preserve that, enclose them in double quotes.

-- Using double quotes for an object name with a space:
CREATE TABLE "My Table" (column1 INT);

3

Be aware of PostgreSQL's identifier length limits (usually 63 characters).

4

Correct any invalid characters or quoting issues and re-execute the statement.

-- Corrected example:
CREATE TABLE app_user (user_id INT);

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Related Errors

5 related errors

PostgreSQL Error 42P17: Invalid Object Definition