The unterminated_c_string error signals that a string literal or COPY data line was opened but never properly closed before the end of the statement or file.
unterminated_c_string appears in PostgreSQL when a quoted string or COPY line is missing its closing quote or escape. Add the correct closing quote or escape sequence to resolve the error.
PostgreSQL Error 22024
PostgreSQL raises the unterminated_c_string error when its lexer meets the start of a C-style string or COPY data row that never receives a proper closing quote.
The parser stops scanning, returns SQLSTATE 22024, and cancels the entire command.
Fixing it quickly is critical because the server ignores everything after the faulty line and your transaction cannot proceed.
Missing closing single quote inside an E'…' or regular string literal immediately triggers the error.
A stray backslash at the end of a line inside an E'…' constant escapes the newline, causing the scanner to look for the terminator indefinitely.
COPY FROM STDIN or psql \copy that feeds data containing an unmatched quote within a CSV field also generates unterminated_c_string.
Locate the exact line reported by psql or the PostgreSQL log.
Add the missing closing quote or delete the extra opening quote.
If using E'…' strings, ensure every backslash escape sequence is complete and that multi-line strings use correct line breaks or dollar-quoting.
Application code concatenating user input often forgets to add the trailing quote. Parameterize queries instead to avoid the problem.
Bulk loads fail when CSV data contains an unescaped quote.
Ensure fields with quotes are wrapped in double quotes and internal quotes are doubled.
Shell scripts that embed SQL across lines may drop a closing quote on refactor. Use heredocs or dollar-quoted blocks to keep SQL intact.
Always parameterize SQL in application libraries such as pg-jdbc or psycopg2 to prevent manual quoting mistakes.
Prefer dollar-quoted strings ($$…$$) for function bodies and large literals.
Dollar quoting removes the need for escaping single quotes entirely.
Validate every CSV file with a linter before running COPY. Tools like csvlint detect unclosed quotes early.
unterminated quoted string at or near occurs when a standard SQL string '…' is missing its terminator.
invalid escape sequence arises when an E'…' literal uses an unsupported escape like \x.
duplicate null byte in CSV header appears during COPY when the file contains embedded nulls rather than quotes.
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No. Any string or COPY data line missing its closing quote can trigger unterminated_c_string, but E-style literals are common sources.
Using standard_conforming_strings=on treats backslashes literally in '…' strings, reducing risk, yet E'…' literals can still fail if unclosed.
No. PostgreSQL cancels the entire statement or COPY operation. You must correct the data or SQL before rerunning.
Galaxy’s editor warns about unmatched quotes while you type and suggests fixes through its AI copilot, stopping the error before submission.
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