How to diagnose and fix the 26000 invalid_sql_statement_name error code in Postgres.

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The 26000 error code in PostgreSQL, known as invalid_sql_statement_name, typically occurs when a prepared statement with a specified name cannot be found during execution. This situation can arise when attempting to execute or deallocate a prepared statement that does not exist, either because it was never created, it has already been deallocated, or the session in which it was created has ended.

Here’s how you can diagnose and fix this issue:

  1. Verify the Prepared Statement Exists:
  • Ensure that the prepared statement you’re trying to execute or deallocate has been created in the current session with the correct name.
  1. Check for Typos in the Statement Name:
  • Double-check the spelling and case of the prepared statement name. Names in PostgreSQL are case-sensitive when quoted.
  1. Ensure the Prepared Statement Was Not Deallocated:
  • If a prepared statement was deallocated either explicitly with the DEALLOCATE command or implicitly by ending the session, it will no longer be available for execution.
  1. Session Consistency:
  • Prepared statements are only valid within the session they were created. If you create a prepared statement in one session and try to use it in another, you will encounter this error.

Here are some examples and sample code that illustrate common scenarios and how to address them:

Example 1: Correctly Creating and Using a Prepared Statement

-- Create a prepared statement
PREPARE my_statement AS
SELECT * FROM my_table WHERE id = $1;

-- Execute the prepared statement
EXECUTE my_statement(1);

-- Deallocate the prepared statement when done
DEALLOCATE my_statement;

Example 2: Dealing with a Mistakenly Deallocated or Non-existent Prepared Statement

-- Attempting to execute a non-existent prepared statement
EXECUTE my_missing_statement(1);
-- This will raise the 26000 error because 'my_missing_statement' does not exist.

-- To fix this, you must first create the prepared statement
PREPARE my_missing_statement AS
SELECT * FROM my_table WHERE id = $1;

-- Now you can execute it
EXECUTE my_missing_statement(1);

Example 3: Ensuring Session Consistency

-- If you create a prepared statement in one session
PREPARE session_statement AS
SELECT * FROM my_table WHERE id = $1;

-- And then try to use it in a different session, it will not be found
EXECUTE session_statement(1);
-- This will result in the 26000 error because 'session_statement' was created in a different session.

-- You need to create the prepared statement again in the current session
PREPARE session_statement AS
SELECT * FROM my_table WHERE id = $1;

-- Now you can execute it in the same session
EXECUTE session_statement(1);

To avoid this error, always create your prepared statements in the same session where you intend to use them, ensure they have not been deallocated, and verify that the statement name is spelled correctly. If you’re working with an application that uses connection pooling, be aware that each connection in the pool will have its own session context, and prepared statements are not shared across these connections.

For more information about prepared statements in PostgreSQL, you can refer to the official PostgreSQL documentation on prepared statements.

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