<p>MySQL raises ER_TOO_LONG_BODY when a stored procedure or function body exceeds the maximum allowed length.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1437: ER_TOO_LONG_BODY occurs when the body text of a stored procedure, function, or trigger exceeds the server’s max_allowed_packet or internal 64-KB parser limit. Trim unnecessary SQL, split logic into multiple routines, or increase max_allowed_packet to resolve the issue.</p>
Routine body for '%s' is too long
MySQL throws ER_TOO_LONG_BODY with the message "Routine body for '%s' is too long" when the text of a stored procedure, function, or trigger surpasses internal size limits. The parser cannot store or transmit the routine definition, so creation or alteration fails.
The error appears during CREATE PROCEDURE, CREATE FUNCTION, or CREATE TRIGGER statements. It prevents deployment of oversized routines that would hurt performance and exceed packet boundaries.
The most common cause is a very large BEGIN … END block containing extensive business logic, dynamic SQL, or large constant strings. MySQL stores routine text in the mysql.proc table, which is limited to 64 KB per body field.
Another trigger is a low max_allowed_packet value. If the routine text plus statement wrapper exceeds the packet size, the server rejects it during transmission from client to server.
First, simplify the routine. Remove commented code, redundant queries, and unused variables to shrink the body size. Often a quick refactor resolves the error.
If the logic must remain large, split it into several smaller stored procedures or functions. Call the helpers in sequence to keep each body well under 64 KB.
Update max_allowed_packet in my.cnf or at session level when packet size, not body storage, causes the failure. Values like 64M handle most deployments.
Huge ETL procedures with many INSERT … SELECT statements often hit the limit. Break ETL into stage-by-stage procedures and schedule them through an orchestrator.
Applications that generate procedures on the fly may concatenate long JSON strings into the body. Store large literals in tables instead and read them at runtime.
Keep stored routines focused on a single responsibility. Externalize reporting SQL into views and reuse them inside concise procedures.
Set code reviews to flag routines approaching 50 KB. Galaxy’s SQL editor highlights character counts and suggests refactoring before you reach the limit.
ER_ROUTINE_EXISTS (1304) fires when a routine of the same name already exists. Use DROP PROCEDURE IF EXISTS first.
ER_TRG_ALREADY_EXISTS (1359) indicates a trigger duplication. Rename or drop the existing trigger before creating a new one.
Very long procedural code with many queries or constants pushes the body past 64 KB.
The client or server packet limit is smaller than the routine definition, blocking transmission.
Hard-coded JSON, XML, or HTML strings inflate the body.
Placing all business logic in a single procedure instead of modular routines triggers the limit.
Raised when attempting to create a routine that already exists. Use DROP or ALTER instead of CREATE.
Occurs when a trigger with the same name on the same table already exists. Drop or rename the existing trigger.
Indicates the server has reached connection limit. Increase max_connections or close idle sessions.
The body column in mysql.proc stores up to 64 KB. Exceeding that triggers ER_TOO_LONG_BODY.
Only when packet size is the bottleneck. If the body exceeds 64 KB, refactor instead.
All supported versions, including 5.7 and 8.0, enforce the 64 KB body storage limit.
Galaxy warns when your procedure nears 50 KB and suggests splitting code, preventing ER_TOO_LONG_BODY before commit.
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