PostgreSQL raises 42P19 invalid_recursion when a view, rule, or CTE references itself without a legal WITH RECURSIVE construct.
PostgreSQL error 42P19 invalid_recursion appears when any view, rule, or CTE references itself, creating an unsafe dependency loop. Remove the self-reference or rewrite with WITH RECURSIVE to resolve the issue.
PostgreSQL Error 42P19
PostgreSQL throws the 42P19 invalid_recursion error when a database object references itself directly or indirectly in a way the planner cannot safely evaluate. A classic example is a view whose SELECT statement reads from the view’s own name.
The server cancels execution to avoid infinite loops that could lock resources or crash sessions.
Correcting the object definition removes the error and lets queries run normally.
Self-referencing views, circular view chains, rules that write to the same table they query, and common table expressions that fail to declare WITH RECURSIVE are prime triggers. Each creates a dependency loop the optimizer rejects.
Locate the object named in the error context, drop or ALTER it to remove the self-reference, or add the WITH RECURSIVE keyword where intentional recursion is required.
Validate the new definition before committing.
Scenario: CREATE VIEW v AS SELECT * FROM v; Solution: rewrite without self-reference.
Scenario: View A depends on B and B depends on A. Solution: break the cycle by merging or refactoring one view.
Scenario: WITH t AS (SELECT * FROM t) SELECT * FROM t; Solution: add WITH RECURSIVE and a termination clause.
Test new views in staging, declare RECURSIVE explicitly, and document dependencies.
Continuous integration tools like Galaxy’s validator catch loops before deployment.
55006 object_in_use arises from locked objects. 42P07 duplicate_table flags name collisions. 42P01 undefined_table signals missing objects. Each requires dependency checks but differs from recursion issues.
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PostgreSQL does not allow truly recursive views. Instead, place a WITH RECURSIVE query inside a normal or materialized view.
The server log and ERROR context show the failing object. You can also scan pg_depend for cycles.
Galaxy’s client-side validator flags self-references and circular dependencies before you run the statement, greatly reducing 42P19 incidents.
No. IF NOT EXISTS only prevents duplicate object errors and does not address self-referencing definitions.
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