22038ERRORTier 2 — Caution✅ HIGH confidencesingleton SQL/JSON item required
Category: Data ExceptionVersions: Postgres 14+
What this means
SQLSTATE 22038 is raised when a SQL/JSON context requires exactly one item (singleton) but the path expression returns multiple items or an array.
Why it happens
- 1A SQL/JSON function or operator that requires a single value receives a sequence or array from the path expression
How to reproduce
SQL/JSON singleton context with multiple matches.
trigger — this will ERROR
ERROR: singleton SQL/JSON item required
Fix 1: Use a more specific path that returns exactly one item
When the context requires a singleton JSON value.
fix
Why this works
Refine the JSON path expression to select a single element, or use jsonb_path_query() to handle multiple items as a set.
Version notes
Postgres 14+SQL/JSON singleton requirement enforced from Postgres 14.Sources
📚 Official docs: https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/errcodes-appendix.html
🔧 Source ref: Class 22 — Data Exception
Confidence assessment
✅ HIGH confidence
Standard SQLSTATE. Stable.
See also
📄 Reference pages
SQL/JSON Path Language
⚙️ This error reference was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Examples are provided to illustrate common scenarios and may not cover every case. Always test fixes in a development environment before applying to production. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction →