BAD_ARGUMENTS error¶
This error usually means you're passing invalid arguments to a function. Check the function documentation to see what arguments it expects and what types they should be.
The BAD_ARGUMENTS error in ClickHouse (and Tinybird) happens when you pass invalid arguments to a function. This can occur due to wrong argument types, invalid values, or incorrect argument order. Unlike NUMBER_OF_ARGUMENTS_DOESNT_MATCH, this error indicates that the arguments are present but invalid.
What causes this error¶
You'll typically see it when:
- Passing arguments of the wrong type to a function
- Using invalid values for function parameters
- Providing arguments in the wrong order
- Using unsupported argument combinations
- Passing NULL values where not allowed
Example errors¶
Fails: wrong argument type
SELECT substring(123, 1, 5)
Fails: invalid argument value
SELECT toDate('invalid-date')
Fails: wrong argument order
SELECT round(3.14159, 2, 'decimal')
Fails: unsupported argument combination
SELECT toDateTime('2023-01-01', 'UTC', 'invalid_format')
How to fix it¶
Check argument types¶
Ensure arguments match the expected types:
Fix: correct argument type
SELECT substring('hello world', 1, 5)
Use valid argument values¶
Provide valid values for function parameters:
Fix: valid argument value
SELECT toDate('2023-01-01')
Check argument order¶
Verify arguments are in the correct order:
Fix: correct argument order
SELECT round(3.14159, 2)
Use proper argument combinations¶
Follow function documentation for valid combinations:
Fix: valid argument combination
SELECT toDateTime('2023-01-01 12:00:00')
Common patterns and solutions¶
ClickHouse functions rarely accept optional named parameters. You must provide all required arguments in the correct order.
Function argument constraints¶
| Function | Arguments | Constraints |
|---|---|---|
substring(str, start, length) | string, start, length | start ≥ 1, length ≥ 0 |
round(number, scale) | number, scale | scale ≥ 0 |
toDate(string) | date string | ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD) |
toDateTime(string) | datetime string | ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS) |
formatDateTime(datetime, format) | datetime, format | Valid format string |
addDays(date, days) | date, days | days can be negative |
String functions¶
Common string function argument patterns:
String function arguments
SELECT substring('hello world', 1, 5) -- string, start, length
SELECT replace('hello world', 'world', 'clickhouse') -- string, old, new
SELECT concat('hello', ' ', 'world') -- variable arguments
SELECT trim(' hello ') -- single argument
Date and time functions¶
Date function argument patterns:
Date function arguments
SELECT toDate('2023-01-01') -- date string
SELECT toDateTime('2023-01-01 12:00:00') -- datetime string
SELECT formatDateTime(now(), '%Y-%m-%d') -- datetime, format
SELECT addDays(toDate('2023-01-01'), 7) -- date, days
Mathematical functions¶
Math function argument patterns:
Math function arguments
SELECT abs(-10) -- single numeric argument SELECT round(3.14159, 2) -- number, precision SELECT power(2, 3) -- base, exponent SELECT sqrt(16) -- single numeric argument
Aggregate functions¶
Aggregate function argument patterns:
Aggregate function arguments
SELECT count(*) -- expression or * SELECT sum(value) -- numeric expression SELECT avg(value) -- numeric expression SELECT max(timestamp) -- any expression
Advanced solutions¶
Using try functions for error handling¶
Use try functions to handle invalid arguments gracefully:
Try functions for error handling
SELECT try(toInt32(text_column)) as safe_int FROM events SELECT try(toDate(date_string)) as safe_date FROM events SELECT try(toBool(bool_string)) as safe_bool FROM events
Validating arguments before use¶
Check argument validity before passing to functions:
Argument validation
SELECT CASE
WHEN text_column REGEXP '^[0-9]+$' THEN toInt32(text_column)
ELSE NULL
END as validated_int FROM events
Using default values¶
Provide default values for potentially invalid arguments:
Default values
SELECT toInt32OrZero(text_column) as safe_int FROM events SELECT toDateOrZero(date_string) as safe_date FROM events SELECT toBoolOrFalse(bool_string) as safe_bool FROM events
Function-specific solutions¶
String manipulation functions¶
String function patterns
-- substring(string, start, length)
SELECT substring('hello world', 1, 5) -- 'hello'
-- replace(string, old, new)
SELECT replace('hello world', 'world', 'clickhouse') -- 'hello clickhouse'
-- concat(string1, string2, ...)
SELECT concat('hello', ' ', 'world') -- 'hello world'
Date and time functions¶
Date function patterns
-- toDate(string)
SELECT toDate('2023-01-01') -- 2023-01-01
-- toDateTime(string)
SELECT toDateTime('2023-01-01 12:00:00') -- 2023-01-01 12:00:00
-- formatDateTime(datetime, format)
SELECT formatDateTime(now(), '%Y-%m-%d') -- Current date formatted
Type conversion functions¶
Type conversion patterns
-- toInt32(string)
SELECT toInt32('123') -- 123
-- toFloat64(string)
SELECT toFloat64('123.45') -- 123.45
-- toString(number)
SELECT toString(123) -- '123'
Tinybird-specific notes¶
In Tinybird, this error often occurs when:
- Using functions in Pipes with invalid arguments
- Working with Materialized Views that use functions incorrectly
- Processing data with inconsistent types
- Using functions from other database systems
To debug in Tinybird:
- Check function documentation for correct argument patterns
- Test functions in the Query Builder first
- Validate data types before using functions
- Use try functions for robust error handling
Best practices¶
Function usage¶
- Always check function documentation before use
- Test functions with simple examples first
- Use try functions for potentially problematic operations
- Validate arguments before passing to functions
Error handling¶
- Implement proper error handling for function calls
- Use try functions for robust operations
- Provide fallback values for invalid arguments
- Log function errors for debugging
Data validation¶
- Validate data types before function calls
- Use appropriate type conversion functions
- Handle NULL values properly
- Test functions with sample data