How to diagnose and fix the 58P01 undefined_file error code in Postgres. 

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The 58P01 error code in PostgreSQL signifies an undefined_file error. This error typically occurs when the PostgreSQL server is unable to find a file that it expects to be present. This could be due to a missing file, incorrect file path, or file permission issues. The error could relate to various file types, such as configuration files, extension files, or data files.

To diagnose and fix this issue, you should:

  1. Check the error message details to identify the file that PostgreSQL cannot find.
  2. Verify that the file exists at the specified location.
  3. Ensure that the file permissions are correct and that the PostgreSQL server process has read access to the file.
  4. If the file is related to an extension, ensure that the extension is installed correctly.

Here are some examples and sample code to explain and cover the possibilities:

Example 1: Missing Extension File

If you try to create an extension and the extension’s control file is missing:

CREATE EXTENSION postgis;

And you receive a 58P01 error, it’s likely that the postgis.control file is not present in the PostgreSQL extension directory.

To fix this, you should:

  • Ensure that PostGIS is installed correctly on your system.
  • Check the PostgreSQL extension directory for the presence of the postgis.control file.

If the file is missing, you may need to reinstall PostGIS or correct the installation path.

Example 2: Incorrect File Path

Suppose you are trying to import data using a COPY command and the file path is incorrect:

COPY my_table FROM '/incorrect/path/to/data.csv' WITH (FORMAT csv);

If PostgreSQL cannot find the file, it will raise a 58P01 error.

To resolve this, you should:

  • Check the file path to ensure it is correct.
  • Verify that the file exists at that path.

Example 3: File Permission Issues

If PostgreSQL cannot access a required file due to permission issues:

COPY my_table TO '/restricted/path/to/data.csv' WITH (FORMAT csv);

The 58P01 error might occur if the server process does not have write permissions to the specified path.

To fix this, you should:

  • Check the permissions of the directory and file.
  • Adjust the permissions to allow the PostgreSQL server process access.

For example, you might need to change the ownership of the file or directory:

sudo chown postgres:postgres /restricted/path/to/data.csv

Or modify the permissions:

sudo chmod 755 /restricted/path

General Tips

  • Always check the PostgreSQL server logs for detailed error messages, as they can provide additional context.
  • If the error relates to an extension, ensure that the extension files are in the correct directory, which is typically SHAREDIR/extension/ within your PostgreSQL installation directory.
  • When dealing with file paths in SQL commands, use absolute paths to avoid ambiguity.
  • Make sure that the PostgreSQL server has the necessary permissions to read or write to the files or directories in question.

By carefully examining the error messages, checking file existence and paths, and ensuring proper permissions, you can effectively diagnose and resolve the 58P01 undefined_file error in PostgreSQL. If an issue persists after checking these aspects, consider consulting the PostgreSQL documentation or seeking support from the PostgreSQL community.

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