duplicate cursor
SQLSTATE 42P03 is a Postgres-specific error raised when a DECLARE CURSOR statement attempts to create a cursor with a name that is already in use in the current transaction.
- 1DECLARE CURSOR uses a name that was already declared and not yet closed in the current session or transaction
Declaring a cursor with a duplicate name.
DECLARE my_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT * FROM orders; DECLARE my_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT * FROM customers; -- duplicate name
expected output
ERROR: cursor "my_cursor" already exists
Fix 1
Close the existing cursor before declaring a new one with the same name
WHEN When cursor names may clash.
CLOSE my_cursor; DECLARE my_cursor CURSOR FOR SELECT * FROM customers;
Why this works
CLOSE releases the cursor name, allowing it to be reused.
Fix 2
Use unique cursor names
WHEN When managing multiple cursors in a stored procedure.
Why this works
Generate unique cursor names (e.g., including a counter or timestamp suffix) to avoid name collisions.
Class 42 — Syntax Error or Access Rule Violation (Postgres-specific)
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