3179
MySQLERRORNotableWindow FunctionsHIGH confidence
Window frame specification is illegal
Production Risk
Low — syntax error caught at parse time.
What this means
The complete window frame specification is syntactically or semantically invalid. This is a general frame-illegal error covering cases not reported by more specific frame errors (3176–3178).
Why it happens
- 1Combining incompatible frame options.
- 2Using frame specifications not supported by the window function.
- 3Logical impossibility in the frame bounds (e.g., BETWEEN FOLLOWING AND PRECEDING).
How to reproduce
trigger — this will error
trigger — this will error
SELECT SUM(val) OVER (ORDER BY id ROWS BETWEEN 5 FOLLOWING AND 2 FOLLOWING) FROM t1;
expected output
ERROR 3179 (HY000): Window frame specification is illegal.
Fix 1
Review and correct the frame bounds
Review and correct the frame bounds
SELECT SUM(val) OVER (ORDER BY id ROWS BETWEEN 2 FOLLOWING AND 5 FOLLOWING) FROM t1;
Why this works
Ensure the end bound is logically after the start bound.
Fix 2
Use CURRENT ROW as the anchor
Use CURRENT ROW as the anchor
SELECT SUM(val) OVER (ORDER BY id ROWS BETWEEN CURRENT ROW AND 5 FOLLOWING) FROM t1;
Why this works
CURRENT ROW is a safe, well-defined start bound.
What not to do
✕
Sources
Official documentation ↗
MySQL 8.0 — 3179 ER_WINDOW_FRAME_ILLEGAL
Content generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Found an error? hello@errcodes.dev