The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference: 1971
Logged by: Yogaraj. C
Email address: c_yog (AT) rediffmail (DOT) com
PostgreSQL version: 7.4.8
Operating system: Linux - Red Hat 9
Description: Start Transaction is giving Errors !!!
Details:

Hi,

When I was executing the procedure (with Transaction), postgres will
producing the following error.

ERROR: SPI_prepare() failed on "START TRANSACTION"
CONTEXT: PL/pgSQL function "sp_example1" line 4 at SQL statement

If anyone know the solution for this, pleas help me.

Yogaraj.C

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TIP 2: Don't 'kill -9' the postmaster

On Mon, Oct 17, 2005 at 12:50:29PM +0100, Yogaraj. C wrote:
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/7.4/i...structure.html

"Functions and trigger procedures are always executed within a
transaction established by an outer query --- they cannot start or
commit transactions...."

What problem are you trying to solve? PostgreSQL 8.0 introduced
savepoints, which you can use in PL/pgSQL via an EXCEPTION clause:

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/i...ERROR-TRAPPING

Another possibility might be to use dblink to make another connection
to the database from within the function and execute transactions
over that connection.

--
Michael Fuhr

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TIP 4: Have you searched our list archives?

http://archives.postgresql.org

Yogaraj. C wrote:

NOTABUG. You are not allowed to use transaction commands using SPI,
which in particular means PL/pgSQL. Use the EXCEPTION clause if you
need a savepoint-like feature. Note that you can't close the
transaction that started the function.

--
Alvaro Herrera http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/DXLWNGRJD34
"El sudor es la mejor cura para un pensamiento enfermo" (Bardia)

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TIP 9: In versions below 8.0, the planner will ignore your desire to
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