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Description

This error indicates an attempt to modify a column that MariaDB considers read-only and therefore cannot be directly updated. It commonly occurs when interacting with virtual columns, generated columns, or columns accessed through non-updatable views.

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Error Message

Column '%s' is not updatable

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Attempting to Update a Virtual or Generated Column

You are trying to modify a column whose value is automatically calculated or derived from other columns in the table.

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Updating a Column Through a Non-Updatable View

The column you are trying to update is part of a view that does not permit direct modifications to its underlying data due to its definition.

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Modifying an Internal or System-Managed Column

The specified column is a system-defined attribute or an internal identifier that cannot be directly altered by user DML operations.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Identify and Avoid Updating Read-Only Columns easy

The most direct solution is to simply not attempt to update columns that are inherently read-only.

1

Review your `UPDATE` or `INSERT ... ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE` statements. Identify the column mentioned in the error message (e.g., 'your_read_only_column').

2

Remove the read-only column from the `SET` clause of your `UPDATE` statement or from the list of columns to be updated in `INSERT ... ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE`.

UPDATE your_table SET column1 = 'new_value' WHERE id = 1; -- (Remove 'your_read_only_column' if it was listed)

3

If you are using `INSERT ... ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE`, ensure the read-only column is not included in the list of columns to update.

INSERT INTO your_table (column1, your_read_only_column) VALUES ('value1', 'value2') ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE column1 = 'updated_value1'; -- (Ensure your_read_only_column is NOT in the ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE part)

2. Examine Table and Column Definitions for Read-Only Properties medium

Investigate why a column is marked as read-only by checking its definition and any associated triggers.

1

Use `SHOW CREATE TABLE` to inspect the definition of the table containing the read-only column. Look for any explicit `READONLY` keywords or other properties that might be causing this behavior. (Note: MariaDB doesn't have a direct `READONLY` column attribute like some other databases, but this step helps identify unusual definitions.)

SHOW CREATE TABLE your_table;

2

Check for `BEFORE UPDATE` triggers that might be setting the value of the column, effectively making it read-only from the perspective of direct updates. If a trigger is always setting the column to a specific value or preventing changes, it can lead to this error.

SHOW TRIGGERS LIKE 'your_table';

3

If a trigger is the cause and you intend to update the column, you have two options: 1. Modify the trigger to allow updates for your specific use case. 2. Temporarily disable the trigger (if appropriate and understood) before performing the update, then re-enable it.

-- To disable a trigger:
DROP TRIGGER IF EXISTS your_trigger_name;

-- To re-enable (requires recreating it):
CREATE TRIGGER your_trigger_name BEFORE UPDATE ON your_table FOR EACH ROW SET NEW.your_read_only_column = OLD.your_read_only_column; -- Example of a trigger making it read-only

3. Review Application Logic or ORM Configuration medium

Ensure your application code or Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) is not attempting to modify read-only fields.

1

If you are using an ORM (like SQLAlchemy, Hibernate, Doctrine, etc.), examine your model or entity definitions. Some ORMs have annotations or configurations to mark fields as read-only or immutable. Ensure the column in question is not marked as such.

2

In your application code, trace the logic that leads to the `UPDATE` or `INSERT ... ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE` statement. Verify that the read-only column is not being included in the data being sent to the database for modification.

3

If your application is dynamically generating SQL, ensure it's not inadvertently including the read-only column in the `SET` clause.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1348: Cannot Update Read-Only Column