42P02
PostgreSQLERRORNotableSyntax Error or Access Rule ViolationHIGH confidence
undefined parameter
What this means
SQLSTATE 42P02 is a Postgres-specific error raised when a query references a parameter ($n) that is beyond the number of parameters supplied — for example, using $3 when only 2 parameters were bound.
Why it happens
- 1A prepared statement references $3 but only 1 or 2 parameter values were provided
- 2Mismatch between the number of parameters in the statement and the number of values bound by the driver
How to reproduce
Prepared statement referencing an unbound parameter.
trigger — this will error
trigger — this will error
PREPARE stmt AS SELECT * FROM orders WHERE id = $1 AND status = $3; EXECUTE stmt(1, 'open'); -- $3 not supplied
expected output
ERROR: there is no parameter $3
Fix
Ensure all referenced parameters have corresponding bound values
WHEN When using PREPARE/EXECUTE or driver-level parameterised queries.
Ensure all referenced parameters have corresponding bound values
PREPARE stmt AS SELECT * FROM orders WHERE id = $1 AND status = $2; EXECUTE stmt(1, 'open');
Why this works
The number of $n placeholders must match the number of values supplied in the EXECUTE call or driver binding.
Sources
Official documentation ↗
Class 42 — Syntax Error or Access Rule Violation (Postgres-specific)
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