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Description

MariaDB Error 1064 indicates a fundamental problem with the syntax of your SQL statement. The server's parser encountered an unexpected token or structure, preventing it from understanding and executing the query. This error typically occurs when the SQL statement does not conform to the valid SQL grammar for your MariaDB version.

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Error Message

%s near '%s' at line %d

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Incorrect SQL Syntax

Misspelled keywords, missing required clauses (e.g., FROM in a SELECT statement), or an incorrect command structure for the intended SQL operation.

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Unmatched Delimiters

Missing closing single quotes, double quotes, backticks, or parentheses in string literals, identifiers, or complex expressions.

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Reserved Keyword Usage

Attempting to use a MariaDB reserved keyword (e.g., `SELECT`, `WHERE`, `ORDER`) as a column, table, or alias name without proper escaping (e.g., using backticks).

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Character Encoding Mismatch

Special characters or symbols in the SQL query that are not compatible with the database, table, or connection's defined character set.

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Solutions

5 solutions available

1. Check for Missing or Extra Punctuation easy

Verify quotes, parentheses, and commas

1

Check for unclosed quotes

-- Wrong: missing closing quote
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'John;

-- Correct:
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'John';

2

Check for unmatched parentheses

-- Wrong: missing closing parenthesis
SELECT * FROM users WHERE (status = 'active' AND role = 'admin';

-- Correct:
SELECT * FROM users WHERE (status = 'active' AND role = 'admin');

3

Check for trailing commas

-- Wrong: extra comma before FROM
SELECT id, name, email, FROM users;

-- Correct:
SELECT id, name, email FROM users;

2. Escape Reserved Keywords easy

Use backticks for reserved words used as identifiers

1

Wrap reserved keywords with backticks

-- Wrong: 'order' is a reserved keyword
SELECT order FROM orders;

-- Correct:
SELECT `order` FROM orders;

2

Common reserved keywords that need escaping

-- These need backticks when used as column/table names:
`order`, `group`, `select`, `table`, `index`, `key`,
`status`, `desc`, `asc`, `limit`, `condition`, `default`

3

Check MariaDB reserved words

-- See full list at:
-- https://mariadb.com/kb/en/reserved-words/

3. Fix Common Typos easy

Check for misspelled SQL keywords

1

Common typos in SQL keywords

-- Wrong:
SELCT * FROM users;      -- SELCT instead of SELECT
SELECT * FORM users;     -- FORM instead of FROM
SELECT * FROM users WEHRE id = 1;  -- WEHRE instead of WHERE

-- Correct:
SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = 1;

2

Check for missing keywords

-- Wrong: missing FROM
SELECT * users WHERE id = 1;

-- Wrong: missing INTO
INSERT users (name) VALUES ('John');

-- Correct:
SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = 1;
INSERT INTO users (name) VALUES ('John');

4. Check MariaDB Version Compatibility medium

Some syntax only works in certain versions

1

Check your MariaDB version

SELECT VERSION();

2

Common version-specific syntax issues

-- LIMIT with OFFSET (all versions)
SELECT * FROM users LIMIT 10 OFFSET 20;

-- JSON functions (MariaDB 10.2+)
SELECT JSON_EXTRACT(data, '$.name') FROM users;

-- Window functions (MariaDB 10.2+)
SELECT name, ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY id) FROM users;

-- CTEs/WITH clause (MariaDB 10.2+)
WITH active_users AS (SELECT * FROM users WHERE status = 'active')
SELECT * FROM active_users;

5. Debug Complex Queries medium

Break down and test query parts

1

Simplify the query and test parts

-- Start with simplest form
SELECT * FROM users;

-- Add WHERE clause
SELECT * FROM users WHERE status = 'active';

-- Add JOIN
SELECT * FROM users u
JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id
WHERE u.status = 'active';

-- Add remaining complexity one piece at a time

2

Look at the error position

-- Error: near 'FORM users' at line 1
-- This tells you the error is near 'FORM' - likely a typo for 'FROM'

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1064: SQL Syntax Error