When encountering the error 39000: External Routine Invocation Exception in PostgreSQL, it typically indicates an issue with an external procedure or function. Follow these steps for immediate action:
- Identify the Failing Function: Determine which external function is causing the error. If the error message does not specify, review recent changes or application logs to identify potential candidates.
- Review Function Definition:
- Run the following query to list all external functions, replacing
your_schema with the relevant schema name, or remove the WHERE clause to list all in the database: SELECT proname, prosrc, proconfig
FROM pg_proc INNER JOIN pg_namespace ns ON pg_proc.pronamespace = ns.oid
WHERE ns.nspname = 'your_schema' AND prolang = 'c';
- This will help identify the function's source code or library.
- Check the External Environment:
- Ensure the external environment (e.g., a PL/Python function, a shared library for C functions) is correctly configured and accessible to PostgreSQL.
- For shared libraries, verify their presence and permissions with:
ls -l /path/to/your/library
- Review PostgreSQL Logs:
- Examine the PostgreSQL server logs for more details on the error. The logs can provide specifics such as which external call failed and why. Depending on your setup, you might find logs in
/var/log/postgresql/, /var/lib/pgsql/data/log/, or a custom directory specified in your postgresql.conf file under the log_directory setting.
- Test the External Function Independently (if possible):
- If the function relies on an external script or program, try running it outside of PostgreSQL to check for errors or missing dependencies.
- Restart PostgreSQL:
- In some cases, restarting the database server can resolve transient issues with external routines:
sudo systemctl restart postgresql
- Or, if you use a different method to manage services, use the appropriate command for your system.
- Review Dependencies:
- For functions that depend on external libraries, ensure all dependencies are correctly installed and accessible. For example, check the
LD_LIBRARY_PATH for C functions or relevant environment variables for other languages.
- Consult Documentation or Community:
- If the specific external routine has documentation, review it for any known issues or troubleshooting tips. Additionally, consider seeking help from the PostgreSQL community through forums or mailing lists, providing details about the error and the steps you've already taken.
