22025
PostgreSQLERRORNotableData ExceptionHIGH confidence

invalid escape sequence

What this means

SQLSTATE 22025 is raised when a LIKE or SIMILAR TO pattern contains a backslash escape sequence at the end of the string (incomplete escape), or when the escape character is followed by something that does not form a valid escape.

Why it happens
  1. 1A LIKE pattern ends with the escape character, leaving it without a following character to escape
  2. 2An escape sequence in a SIMILAR TO pattern is incomplete
How to reproduce

LIKE pattern ending in an unfinished escape sequence.

trigger — this will error
trigger — this will error
SELECT * FROM files WHERE name LIKE 'report\'; -- escape at end

expected output

ERROR:  invalid escape sequence

Fix

Ensure the escape character is followed by a valid character to escape

WHEN When building LIKE patterns programmatically.

Ensure the escape character is followed by a valid character to escape
SELECT * FROM files WHERE name LIKE 'report\\'; -- escaped backslash

Why this works

Double the escape character to match a literal backslash, or ensure the pattern always has a character after the escape.

Sources
Official documentation ↗

Class 22 — Data Exception

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