PostgreSQL raises program_limit_exceeded (error 54000) when a query surpasses built-in limits such as 1600 columns per table, maximum index or row size, or expression nesting depth.
PostgreSQL Error 54000 – program_limit_exceeded – means the statement hit an internal limit (too many columns, too deep recursion, oversized index, etc.). Reduce columns, simplify the query, or adjust configuration to resolve the error.
PostgreSQL Error 54000
PostgreSQL throws error 54000 when a statement exceeds an internal hard limit. The message is often followed by details like "number of columns (1664) exceeds limit (1600)" or "index row size 3500 exceeds maximum 2712". The backend aborts execution to protect stability.
The limits are compiled into PostgreSQL source so they cannot be overridden at run-time.
You must rewrite the schema, split data, or simplify expressions to complete the operation successfully.
The error appears when the requested object or operation is larger or deeper than PostgreSQL permits.
Typical triggers include creating a table with more than 1600 columns, building an index whose key size is too large, or nesting functions and subqueries past 100 levels.
Other causes include GROUPING SETS with hundreds of elements, huge VALUES lists, or PL/pgSQL call stacks that exceed max_stack_depth. Each scenario violates a program limit and returns 54000.
First read the detail right after the error; it names the specific limit violated.
Then apply a focused remedy: split wide tables, shorten index keys, break complex queries into smaller parts, or increase max_stack_depth if stack space is low.
After rewriting, rerun the statement to verify the limit is no longer exceeded. Version-control the fix and add automated tests in Galaxy to guard against regressions.
Wide tables: Move rarely used columns to a secondary table joined on primary key.
This keeps each table under 1600 columns.
Large text indexes: Use a full-text search index (GIN) on tsvector rather than a multi-column B-tree to reduce key size.
Design schemas with future limits in mind. Normalize data, favor JSONB for sparse attributes, and keep index key counts minimal.
Run Galaxy’s schema-lint workflow in CI to catch column and index limits before deployment.
Error 54001 (statement_too_complex) arises from similar overly large queries.
Simplify expressions to resolve it.
Error 53100 (disk_full) can occur when index bloat fills disk while attempting an oversized index. Free space or drop the index.
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No. work_mem controls sort and hash memory. Error 54000 stems from hard coded limits, not temporary buffers.
No. The limit is compiled into PostgreSQL. You must recompile the server or redesign the schema.
The composite key is too large. Use fewer columns, switch to a different index type, or hash long text columns.
Galaxy’s schema linter warns when a migration pushes a table or index near preset limits, helping teams catch issues before deployment.
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