# 42611 — invalid_column_definition

> PostgreSQL SQLSTATE 42611: invalid_column_definition, source-backed diagnosis and recovery guidance.
---

# 42611

## At a glance {#at-a-glance}

SQLSTATE `42611` is **invalid_column_definition** in Class `42`. `42611` is an invalid column definition. Two inherited parents in the selected case define different defaults for `id`; the child definition fails with `column "%s" inherits conflicting default values` and the hint to specify a default explicitly.

<!-- BEGIN SQLSTATE FACTS: generated by scripts/generate.py; do not edit -->

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| SQLSTATE | `42611` |
| Condition | `invalid_column_definition` |
| Status | `active` |
| Known present by | `7.4` |
| Locked snapshots | `9.0.23, 9.1.24, 9.2.24, 9.3.25, 9.4.26, 9.5.25, 9.6.24, 10.23, 11.22, 12.22, 13.23, 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, 18.6, 19beta3` |
| Macros | `ERRCODE_INVALID_COLUMN_DEFINITION` |
| Aliases | `—` |

<!-- source facts: data/errcodes/42611.json -->
<!-- END SQLSTATE FACTS -->

## Meaning {#meaning}

`42611` is an invalid column definition. During `MergeAttributes`, PostgreSQL merges parent columns left to right. If equal-named inherited columns have non-equal default expressions, the merge marks the default as conflicting; unless the child overrides it, the final check raises `ERROR` `column "%s" inherits conflicting default values` with the hint to specify a default explicitly. Two inherited parents in the selected case define different defaults for `id`.

## Diagnosis {#diagnosis}

Inspect every parent in the `INHERITS` list and compare the equal-named columns' type, collation, nullability, and default expressions. A matching default can merge; a child-local default overrides the inherited conflict. The selected DDL `ERROR` leaves the autocommit session `IDLE`; this is the inherited-default branch, not a generic duplicate-column error or a type/collation conflict.

## Response {#response}

Declare the intended child default explicitly, as the server hint says, then insert `DEFAULT VALUES` and verify the result. If the parent definitions are supposed to agree, repair the migration at the parents instead; if they intentionally differ, keep the child override visible in the DDL. The selected repair returns `1`, but that value is case-specific and does not choose a universal policy.

## Messages {#messages}

The selected source branch emits an explicit `ERROR` with primary `column "%s" inherits conflicting default values` and HINT `To resolve the conflict, specify a default explicitly.` `%s` is the conflicting column name. A client exception without the server SQLSTATE, primary, and HINT is not sufficient to identify this selected inherited-default subpath; other fixed producers can use the same SQLSTATE with different diagnostics.

## Representative case {#case}

<!-- BEGIN SQLSTATE SNIPPET: conflicting_inherited_default -->

The page uses the same statements as the runner registry. Generated names such as `syntax_schema` and `syntax_role` are replaced by disposable runner values when executed.

```sql
CREATE TABLE syntax_schema.parent_one (id integer DEFAULT 1);
CREATE TABLE syntax_schema.parent_two (id integer DEFAULT 2);
CREATE TABLE syntax_schema.child_bad () INHERITS (syntax_schema.parent_one, syntax_schema.parent_two);
CREATE TABLE syntax_schema.child_good (id integer DEFAULT 1) INHERITS (syntax_schema.parent_one, syntax_schema.parent_two);
INSERT INTO syntax_schema.child_good DEFAULT VALUES RETURNING id;
```

<!-- END SQLSTATE SNIPPET -->

The selected 18.6 run reports the structured diagnostic and passes the repair assertions; the 10.21 run passes the same case-specific checks. The downloadable case and evidence projections are [`42611 case JSON`](../data/cases/42611.json) and [`authored evidence`](../data/evidence/42611.json). The runner manifest is `verify/cases/42611/cases.json`, and the page SQL is checked against its shared registry.

## Versions {#versions}

The selected natural runtime scope is PostgreSQL 18.6 and 10.21; it does not infer behavior for every intermediate release.

## Related {#related}

- [`42701` — duplicate_column](../42701/)

## Sources {#sources}

- `src.errcodes.18.6` — fixed `errcodes.txt` definition at commit `724edf9bde9d356724ad384a2e196edc3c9f80f7`; SHA-256 `6e8de346643ba84aa3c9c6a73360acfc7b2dfb89162c06c08ce9bf5bcd5bbcba` ([source](https://github.com/postgres/postgres/blob/724edf9bde9d356724ad384a2e196edc3c9f80f7/src/backend/utils/errcodes.txt)).
- `src.inherited-conflicting-default.18.6` — `src/backend/commands/tablecmds.c` at `REL_18_6` commit `724edf9bde9d356724ad384a2e196edc3c9f80f7`; fixed blob SHA-256 `422dc8e833df4940755973c757e338295822ba3e4c7266c40669f49f96eb15a9` ([source](https://github.com/postgres/postgres/blob/724edf9bde9d356724ad384a2e196edc3c9f80f7/src/backend/commands/tablecmds.c#L3144-L3148)).
- `src.inherited-conflicting-default.10.23` — `src/backend/commands/tablecmds.c` at `REL_10_23` commit `02991e79f8f58bc208f05dcc8af0c62dbe0a6ea4`; fixed blob SHA-256 `6de441c88496c6cf57a836898388085ec08bf69afd70d07acdafd6089b9b5f8c` ([source](https://github.com/postgres/postgres/blob/02991e79f8f58bc208f05dcc8af0c62dbe0a6ea4/src/backend/commands/tablecmds.c#L2288-L2292)).
- `src.calls.REL_18_6` / `src.calls.REL_10_23` — fixed call scans, SHA-256 `9ee8a0e81d8f0825c5c1ae45583439859a26e602bdd4ce2f2a62aa278867ccbf` / `00d16d3eb01b71ccf1b245c8f3102f9d0ec9f36fb02777b8dd1b99fcb263040c`.