Re: Range for user-defined SQLSTATE codes

Kevin Grittner <kgrittn(at)ymail(dot)com> writes:
> Ian Pilcher <arequipeno(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
>> Is there anything like a standard range -- formal or otherwise -- for
>> such codes? A best practice? A general consensus? A half-painted
>> bike shed?

> There is this in the SQL standard. According to that, SQLSTATE
> values with 0-4 or A-H in both the first and third positions are
> reserved for values defined by standards. All others are available
> for "implementation-specified" exception conditions. As far as I
> know, the PostgreSQL community has claimed SQLSTATE values with P0
> or XX in the start of a SQLSTATE or P in the third character. To
> allow for future expansion by the PostgreSQL community it might be
> wise to stay away from any SQLSTATE starting with P for your
> application use.

In addition to what the spec says, it's worth looking into
src/backend/utils/errcodes.txt, where you'll note that we have borrowed
some codes beginning with '5' from DB2, and also stated that codes
beginning with 'Y' are reserved for client-side code such as ecpg.
So I'd stay away from 5, P, X, and Y as first characters of private
SQLSTATEs (or third characters of private codes within a spec-defined
class, if that's what you want). Other than that, go nuts.

regards, tom lane