PostgreSQL raises error code 22012 (division_by_zero) when an expression attempts to divide any numeric value by zero.
division_by_zero (PostgreSQL error 22012) means a query tried to divide by zero. Guard the divisor with CASE, NULLIF, or WHERE filters so zero never reaches the arithmetic operation.
division_by_zero
PostgreSQL returns SQLSTATE 22012 with the message “division by zero” when any numeric expression attempts to divide by literal zero or a column that evaluates to zero. The server stops executing the statement and rolls back the current transaction block unless configured otherwise.
The error is critical because it prevents result sets from being returned and can break application logic or ETL workflows.
Fixing it quickly ensures query reliability and prevents user-facing outages.
The error occurs whenever the denominator in an expression is zero at execution time. PostgreSQL evaluates arithmetic strictly, so even one zero value triggers the exception.
Common triggers include COUNT returns of 0 in rate calculations, unfiltered data where NULLs are coerced to 0, and parameters passed by applications without validation.
Eliminate zero denominators before the division happens.
Use NULLIF or CASE to convert zero to NULL, which yields NULL instead of an error, or filter rows with a WHERE clause.
Adjust application logic to validate user input and ensure configuration values such as percentages or sample sizes are never zero.
Rate calculations like clicks/visits fail when visits = 0. Guard with NULLIF(visits,0).
Average computations on empty partitions cause division by zero.
Use FILTER or HAVING clauses to skip empty groups.
Always check denominators with COALESCE, NULLIF, or CASE. Document data contracts so upstream jobs cannot send zero where disallowed.
Add unit tests that run queries against edge cases, and monitor error logs for SQLSTATE 22012 so issues surface early.
Error 42883 function does not exist surfaces when dividing incompatible types.
Cast operands properly.
Numeric value out of range (22003) appears after fixing division_by_zero if the result overflows. Cast to NUMERIC with larger precision.
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It is a runtime error. PostgreSQL evaluates the expression during execution, so the error appears only when a zero denominator is encountered.
No. Dividing by NULL yields NULL, not an error. Use NULLIF to leverage this behavior safely.
No PostgreSQL setting suppresses 22012. You must handle the condition in SQL or application code.
Galaxy’s AI copilot flags risky denominators, suggests NULLIF wrappers, and lets teams endorse tested queries, reducing the chance of zero division reaching production.
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