MySQL error 3061 (SQLSTATE 42000) occurs when a user variable name contains illegal characters or an incorrect prefix, preventing the statement from executing.
MySQL error 3061 ER_ILLEGAL_USER_VAR appears when a user variable name contains illegal characters or an invalid prefix. Use only alphanumeric characters and underscores after the single @ symbol to resolve the issue.
ER_ILLEGAL_USER_VAR
MySQL raises ER_ILLEGAL_USER_VAR when it detects an invalid user variable name during statement parsing. The server stops execution and returns SQLSTATE 42000 along with error code 3061.
User variables must start with a single @ followed by letters, digits or underscores. Any deviation triggers this syntax error introduced in MySQL 5.7.5.
Illegal characters such as spaces, punctuation or Unicode symbols in the variable name trigger the error.
Using a double at sign (@@myvar) outside of system variables leads MySQL to flag the name as illegal.
Placing a user variable inside quotes or delimiters also breaks the naming rules and surfaces the error.
Rename the variable to use only permitted characters. Stick to alphanumerics and underscores.
Ensure the variable begins with a single @. Remove any accidental second @ that would indicate a system variable.
Verify the statement in a modern SQL editor like Galaxy, which highlights illegal identifiers in real time.
Accidentally typing @user-name instead of @user_name throws the error. Replace the hyphen with an underscore.
Copy-pasting variables from text editors may introduce hidden Unicode characters. Re-type the name manually.
When migrating from older MySQL versions, review stored procedures for names like @1total that start with a digit. Rename them.
Adopt a consistent naming convention: start with @, use snake_case, avoid digits at the first character.
Use Galaxy’s linting to flag non-conforming variable names as you type, preventing invalid commits.
Include unit tests for stored routines that reference user variables, catching illegal names during CI.
ER_BAD_FIELD_ERROR arises when a column name is invalid. Rename or quote the identifier.
ER_TRUNCATED_WRONG_VALUE may appear when assigning incompatible data into a user variable. Cast the value properly.
ER_SP_UNDECLARED_VAR signals an undeclared local variable in stored programs. Declare it with DECLARE first.
Characters like spaces, dashes, dots, or Unicode symbols inside the variable name are not allowed.
Using @@ mistakenly for a user variable makes MySQL treat the token as illegal.
Variable names starting with a digit violate the naming rule and trigger error 3061.
Placing the variable inside quotes ('@var') prevents MySQL from treating it as an identifier.
Column not found - occurs when referencing a non-existent column or alias.
Raised in stored programs for variables declared outside scope.
Occurs when a string cannot be converted to the required type.
The variable name contains illegal characters, an extra @ symbol, or starts with a digit, violating MySQL naming rules.
Only letters, digits and underscores after a single leading @.
Yes. MySQL introduced the check in version 5.7.5. Earlier releases silently allowed some invalid names.
Galaxy’s real-time linting flags illegal variable names as you type, so you can correct them before running.
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