How to Fix SQLServer Syntax Error in PostgreSQL

How do I fix SQLServer syntax errors when running queries in PostgreSQL?

SQLServer syntax errors occur in PostgreSQL when queries contain SQL Server–specific keywords or functions; replacing them with PostgreSQL-compatible syntax resolves the issue.

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Description

Example H2

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What causes a “SQLServer syntax error” in PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL rejects SQL Server–only features like TOP, NVARCHAR, square-bracket quoting, and GETDATE(). Using them inside psql or a PostgreSQL client triggers a syntax error.

How do I convert SQL Server LIMIT/TOP clauses?

Replace SELECT TOP (n) with SELECT ... LIMIT n. PostgreSQL applies LIMIT after ORDER BY, matching SQL Server’s TOP with ORDER BY.

How do I replace SQL Server data types?

Swap NVARCHAR for VARCHAR or TEXT. Replace DATETIME with TIMESTAMP.PostgreSQL automatically handles Unicode in VARCHAR.

What is PostgreSQL’s alternative to GETDATE()?

Use CURRENT_TIMESTAMP or NOW(). Both return the current date-time in session time zone.

Example: fixing a query

Original SQL Server query:
SELECT TOP (5) * FROM Orders WHERE order_date > GETDATE()-7;
PostgreSQL-compatible version:
SELECT * FROM Orders WHERE order_date > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days' ORDER BY order_date DESC LIMIT 5;

When should I cast data types explicitly?

Cast only when implicit conversion fails. Example: total_amount::NUMERIC(10,2) ensures math accuracy.

Best practices for cross-database compatibility

1. Avoid vendor-specific keywords.
2.Use ANSI-SQL functions when possible.
3. Test queries in PostgreSQL early.

How to debug remaining errors?

Enable VERBOSITY verbose in psql to get column numbers. Search the error line for SQL Server syntax and refactor.

Why How to Fix SQLServer Syntax Error in PostgreSQL is important

How to Fix SQLServer Syntax Error in PostgreSQL Example Usage


-- Fixing a TOP clause and GETDATE() function
-- Goal: last 3 high-value orders placed this week
SELECT order_id, customer_id, total_amount, order_date
FROM Orders
WHERE order_date >= NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'
ORDER BY total_amount DESC
LIMIT 3;

How to Fix SQLServer Syntax Error in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- LIMIT vs TOP
SELECT *
FROM Products
ORDER BY price DESC
LIMIT 10;

-- CURRENT_TIMESTAMP vs GETDATE()
SELECT id, order_date, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP AS run_time
FROM Orders;

-- Type replacements
-- NVARCHAR(100) -> VARCHAR(100)
CREATE TABLE Customers (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100),
    email VARCHAR(255),
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

-- DATEADD(year, -1, GETDATE()) -> NOW() - INTERVAL '1 year'
SELECT *
FROM Customers
WHERE created_at >= NOW() - INTERVAL '1 year';

Common Mistakes

Using SELECT TOP without translating to LIMIT causes ERROR: syntax error at or near "TOP". Fix by appending LIMIT n after ORDER BY.
Leaving GETDATE() unchanged throws ERROR: function getdate() does not exist. Replace with NOW() or CURRENT_TIMESTAMP.