<p>MySQL raises error 1576 when an event tries to create, alter, or drop events inside its own body, which the server blocks to prevent infinite recursion.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1576: ER_EVENT_RECURSION_FORBIDDEN occurs when an EVENT statement inside its own body issues another EVENT DDL command, triggering a safety block against infinite loops. Remove or move the nested EVENT DDL to resolve the error.</p>
Recursion of EVENT DDL statements is forbidden when body
MySQL raises error code 1576 with SQLSTATE HY000 when an EVENT definition tries to execute CREATE EVENT, ALTER EVENT, or DROP EVENT statements while the scheduler is running that same event body. The server rejects the recursive DDL to stop runaway loops and protect scheduler stability.
The full message states: Recursion of EVENT DDL statements is forbidden when body is present. It highlights that DDL on events cannot be embedded inside another event's body if it may reference itself or other events in a recursive chain.
Recursion is triggered when you schedule maintenance tasks that attempt to modify event definitions from inside active events. Typical patterns include self-altering events that try to change their NEXT RUN time or drop and recreate themselves for dynamic scheduling.
The server detects any EVENT DDL executed inside an event context and terminates the statement immediately, returning error 1576 to the client or the error log.
Move all CREATE EVENT, ALTER EVENT, and DROP EVENT statements outside the event body. Use stored procedures or application-level scripts to manage the event lifecycle instead of self-modifying logic.
If dynamic scheduling is required, store desired schedule values in a table and let the event read parameters rather than altering its own definition.
Self-dropping events should switch to a one-time schedule with ON COMPLETION NOT PRESERVE to auto-delete after execution, avoiding explicit DROP EVENT calls.
Events that need versioned logic should write new rows to a control table and have an external deployment process update or replace the event outside the scheduler.
Separate event execution logic from event management. Keep DDL in migration scripts or CI pipelines.
Monitor the event_scheduler and error log for code 1576 alerts to catch accidental recursion early.
The event body includes ALTER EVENT or DROP EVENT targeting itself.
Event A alters Event B while Event B simultaneously alters Event A, forming a loop.
Developers embed schema-change or deployment DDL within scheduled events, inadvertently touching other events.
Raised when attempting to create an event that already exists. Fix by using IF NOT EXISTS or dropping the existing event.
Occurs when altering or dropping an event that has completed and is not preserved. Verify the event status before issuing DDL.
Triggered when the event body exceeds the maximum length allowed. Reduce procedure code or store logic in a procedure.
No. MySQL hard-codes the safety check. You must redesign the event logic to avoid recursive DDL.
Error 1576 is specific to EVENT DDL inside event bodies. Stored procedures can call themselves if allowed by the max_sp_recursion_depth setting.
All maintained versions from 5.1 forward enforce the recursion block. The behavior is consistent in MySQL 5.7, 8.0, and 8.1.
Galaxy's query linting flags event DDL inside event bodies and suggests moving it to migration scripts, helping teams avoid error 1576 before deployment.
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