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Description

This `DATA EXCEPTION` (error class 22) indicates that an arithmetic operation or conversion involving an `INTERVAL` data type has produced a result where one of its components (like years, months, or seconds) exceeds the maximum allowed value. This typically occurs when an interval calculation yields an excessively large or small duration that cannot be represented within PostgreSQL's interval limits.

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Error Message

interval field overflow

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Excessive Interval Arithmetic

Performing arithmetic operations (e.g., multiplying an interval by a large number, adding large intervals) that result in a duration exceeding the maximum capacity of an interval field.

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Invalid Interval Conversions

Attempting to cast a very large numeric value or string to an `INTERVAL` type, where the resulting duration's components exceed their allowed range.

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Incorrect Data Input

Inserting or updating an `INTERVAL` column with values that, when interpreted or processed, lead to an overflow in one of its fields.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Check Interval Calculation Logic medium

Review your SQL queries to ensure interval calculations don't exceed PostgreSQL's limits.

1

Identify the specific query or operation that is causing the 'interval field overflow' error. This often happens when adding or subtracting large intervals from dates.

TEXT: Example: 'SELECT timestamp_column + interval '1000000000 years' FROM your_table;'

2

Examine the interval values being used. PostgreSQL's `interval` type has limits. For example, a year component cannot exceed 178,000,000 years.

TEXT: Refer to PostgreSQL documentation for precise interval limits.

3

Adjust the interval calculations to stay within these limits. This might involve breaking down large intervals into smaller, manageable chunks or using different date/time manipulation techniques.

SQL: Instead of: `timestamp_column + interval '1000000000 years'`, consider: `timestamp_column + interval '100000000 years' * 10` (if still within limits) or using a loop/function if dealing with extremely large, dynamic calculations.

2. Sanitize Input Values for Interval Calculations medium

Validate and sanitize user-provided or external data used in interval computations.

1

If your interval calculations involve dynamic values (e.g., from user input, configuration files, or API calls), ensure these values are validated before being used.

TEXT: Example: If a user can specify a number of years to add to a date, ensure this number is within a reasonable and safe range.

2

Implement checks in your application logic or using PostgreSQL functions to limit the magnitude of intervals. This prevents the overflow error from occurring due to unexpected large inputs.

SQL: Example function to cap interval years:
sql
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION safe_add_interval(ts timestamptz, years int) RETURNS timestamptz AS $$
DECLARE
    max_years int := 178000000; -- Approximate max allowed years
    actual_years int;
BEGIN
    actual_years := LEAST(years, max_years);
    RETURN ts + (actual_years::text || ' years')::interval;
END;
$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;

SELECT safe_add_interval(NOW(), 200000000);

3. Utilize Date/Time Functions for Large Deltas medium

Employ specific date/time functions for very large date differences that might overflow standard interval arithmetic.

1

For calculations spanning extremely large periods that might strain the `interval` type, consider using PostgreSQL's built-in date and time functions that handle such scenarios more robustly.

TEXT: For example, if you need to find a date far in the future or past, standard interval addition might fail. Functions like `make_date` or `date_trunc` can be useful.

2

When dealing with very large year differences, it might be more appropriate to directly construct a new date using components rather than adding a massive interval.

SQL: Example:
sql
-- Instead of potentially overflowing interval addition for a very distant future date:
-- SELECT '2023-01-01'::date + interval '1000000000 years';

-- Use make_date for specific components:
SELECT make_date(2023 + 1000000000, 1, 1);

3

If you are calculating differences, be mindful of the return type. `AGE()` returns an interval, which can still overflow. For very large differences, you might need to extract components and perform arithmetic on those.

SQL: Example of extracting years from a large interval:
sql
SELECT EXTRACT(YEAR FROM AGE('10000-01-01'::date, '0001-01-01'::date)); -- This might still have issues depending on the exact interval precision needed

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Related Errors

5 related errors

PostgreSQL Error 22015: Interval Field Overflow