22039ERRORTier 2 — Caution✅ HIGH confidenceSQL/JSON array not found
Category: Data ExceptionVersions: Postgres 14+
What this means
SQLSTATE 22039 is raised when a SQL/JSON operation expects a JSON array but the path expression resolves to a non-array value.
Why it happens
- 1Applying an array-specific SQL/JSON operation to an object, string, number, or boolean JSON value
How to reproduce
Array SQL/JSON operation on a non-array value.
trigger — this will ERROR
SELECT jsonb_path_query('{"a":1}'::jsonb, 'strict $.a[0]');ERROR: jsonpath array subscript is not implemented for type object
Fix 1: Verify the JSON value is an array before subscripting
When the JSON structure is not guaranteed to be an array.
fix
SELECT jsonb_typeof('{"a":1}'::jsonb -> 'a'); -- check type firstWhy this works
Use jsonb_typeof() to confirm the value is an array before applying array subscripts.
Version notes
Postgres 14+SQL/JSON strict array access refined in 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 Languagejsonb_typeof
⚙️ 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 →