---
id: 'functions'
title: 'Database Functions'
description: 'Creating and using Postgres functions.'
video: 'https://www.youtube.com/v/MJZCCpCYEqk'
---

Postgres has built-in support for [SQL functions](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/sql-createfunction.html).
These functions live inside your database, and they can be [used with the API](../../reference/javascript/rpc).

## Quick demo

<div className="video-container">
  <iframe
    src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MJZCCpCYEqk"
    frameBorder="1"
    allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
    allowFullScreen
  ></iframe>
</div>

## Getting started

Supabase provides several options for creating database functions. You can use the Dashboard or create them directly using SQL.
We provide a SQL editor within the Dashboard, or you can [connect](../../guides/database/connecting-to-postgres) to your database
and run the SQL queries yourself.

1. Go to the "SQL editor" section.
2. Click "New Query".
3. Enter the SQL to create or replace your Database function.
4. Click "Run" or cmd+enter (ctrl+enter).

## Simple functions

Let's create a basic Database Function which returns a string "hello world".

```sql
create or replace function hello_world() -- 1
returns text -- 2
language sql -- 3
as $$  -- 4
  select 'hello world';  -- 5
$$; --6

```

<details>
<summary>Show/Hide Details</summary>

At it's most basic a function has the following parts:

1. `create or replace function hello_world()`: The function declaration, where `hello_world` is the name of the function. You can use either `create` when creating a new function or `replace` when replacing an existing function. Or you can use `create or replace` together to handle either.
2. `returns text`: The type of data that the function returns. If it returns nothing, you can `returns void`.
3. `language sql`: The language used inside the function body. This can also be a procedural language: `plpgsql`, `plpython`, etc.
4. `as $$`: The function wrapper. Anything enclosed inside the `$$` symbols will be part of the function body.
5. `select 'hello world';`: A simple function body. The final `select` statement inside a function body will be returned if there are no statements following it.
6. `$$;`: The closing symbols of the function wrapper.

</details>

<br />

<Admonition type="caution">

When naming your functions, make the name of the function unique as overloaded functions are not supported.

</Admonition>

After the Function is created, we have several ways of "executing" the function - either directly inside the database using SQL, or with one of the client libraries.

<Tabs
  scrollable
  size="small"
  type="underlined"
  defaultActiveId="sql"
  queryGroup="language"
>
<TabPanel id="sql" label="SQL">

```sql
select hello_world();
```

</TabPanel>
<TabPanel id="js" label="JavaScript">

```js
const { data, error } = await supabase.rpc('hello_world')
```

Reference: [`rpc()`](../../reference/javascript/rpc)

</TabPanel>
<$Show if="sdk:dart">
<TabPanel id="dart" label="Dart">

```dart
final data = await supabase
  .rpc('hello_world');
```

Reference: [`rpc()`](../../reference/dart/rpc)

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:swift">
<TabPanel id="swift" label="Swift">

```swift
try await supabase.rpc("hello_world").execute()
```

Reference: [`rpc()`](../../reference/swift/rpc)

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:kotlin">
<TabPanel id="kotlin" label="Kotlin">

```kotlin
val data = supabase.postgrest.rpc("hello_world")
```

Reference: [`rpc()`](../../reference/kotlin/rpc)

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:python">
<TabPanel id="python" label="Python">

```python
data = supabase.rpc('hello_world').execute()
```

Reference: [`rpc()`](../../reference/python/rpc)

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
</Tabs>

## Returning data sets

Database Functions can also return data sets from [Tables](../../guides/database/tables) or Views.

For example, if we had a database with some Star Wars data inside:

<Tabs
  scrollable
  size="small"
  type="underlined"
  defaultActiveId="data"
  queryGroup="example-view"
>
<TabPanel id="data" label="Data">

<h4>Planets</h4>

```
| id  | name     |
| --- | -------- |
| 1   | Tatooine |
| 2   | Alderaan |
| 3   | Kashyyyk |
```

<h4>People</h4>

```
| id  | name             | planet_id |
| --- | ---------------- | --------- |
| 1   | Anakin Skywalker | 1         |
| 2   | Luke Skywalker   | 1         |
| 3   | Princess Leia    | 2         |
| 4   | Chewbacca        | 3         |
```

</TabPanel>
<TabPanel id="sql" label="SQL">

```sql
create table planets (
  id serial primary key,
  name text
);

insert into planets
  (id, name)
values
  (1, 'Tattoine'),
  (2, 'Alderaan'),
  (3, 'Kashyyyk');

create table people (
  id serial primary key,
  name text,
  planet_id bigint references planets
);

insert into people
  (id, name, planet_id)
values
  (1, 'Anakin Skywalker', 1),
  (2, 'Luke Skywalker', 1),
  (3, 'Princess Leia', 2),
  (4, 'Chewbacca', 3);
```

</TabPanel>
</Tabs>

We could create a function which returns all the planets:

```sql
create or replace function get_planets()
returns setof planets
language sql
as $$
  select * from planets;
$$;
```

Because this function returns a table set, we can also apply filters and selectors. For example, if we only wanted the first planet:

<Tabs
  scrollable
  size="small"
  type="underlined"
  defaultActiveId="sql"
  queryGroup="language"
>
<TabPanel id="sql" label="SQL">

```sql
select *
from get_planets()
where id = 1;
```

</TabPanel>
<TabPanel id="js" label="JavaScript">

```js
const { data, error } = supabase.rpc('get_planets').eq('id', 1)
```

</TabPanel>
<$Show if="sdk:dart">
<TabPanel id="dart" label="Dart">

```dart
final data = await supabase
  .rpc('get_planets')
  .eq('id', 1);
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:swift">
<TabPanel id="swift" label="Swift">

```swift
let response = try await supabase.rpc("get_planets").eq("id", value: 1).execute()
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:kotlin">
<TabPanel id="kotlin" label="Kotlin">

```kotlin
val data = supabase.postgrest.rpc("get_planets") {
    filter {
        eq("id", 1)
    }
}
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:python">
<TabPanel id="python" label="Python">

```python
data = supabase.rpc('get_planets').eq('id', 1).execute()
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
</Tabs>

## Passing parameters

Let's create a Function to insert a new planet into the `planets` table and return the new ID. Note that this time we're using the `plpgsql` language.

```sql
create or replace function add_planet(name text)
returns bigint
language plpgsql
as $$
declare
  new_row bigint;
begin
  insert into planets(name)
  values (add_planet.name)
  returning id into new_row;

  return new_row;
end;
$$;
```

Once again, you can execute this function either inside your database using a `select` query, or with the client libraries:

<Tabs
  scrollable
  size="small"
  type="underlined"
  defaultActiveId="sql"
  queryGroup="language"
>
<TabPanel id="sql" label="SQL">

```sql
select * from add_planet('Jakku');
```

</TabPanel>
<TabPanel id="js" label="JavaScript">

```js
const { data, error } = await supabase.rpc('add_planet', { name: 'Jakku' })
```

</TabPanel>
<$Show if="sdk:dart">
<TabPanel id="dart" label="Dart">

```dart
final data = await supabase
  .rpc('add_planet', params: { 'name': 'Jakku' });
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:swift">
<TabPanel id="swift" label="Swift">

Using `Encodable` type:

```swift
struct Planet: Encodable {
  let name: String
}

try await supabase.rpc(
  "add_planet",
  params: Planet(name: "Jakku")
)
.execute()
```

Using `AnyJSON` convenience` type:

```swift
try await supabase.rpc(
  "add_planet",
  params: ["name": AnyJSON.string("Jakku")]
)
.execute()
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:kotlin">
<TabPanel id="kotlin" label="Kotlin">

```kotlin
val data = supabase.postgrest.rpc(
    function = "add_planet",
    parameters = buildJsonObject { //You can put here any serializable object including your own classes
        put("name", "Jakku")
    }
)
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
<$Show if="sdk:python">
<TabPanel id="python" label="Python">

```python
data = supabase.rpc('add_planet', params={'name': 'Jakku'}).execute()
```

</TabPanel>
</$Show>
</Tabs>

## Suggestions

### Database Functions vs Edge Functions

For data-intensive operations, use Database Functions, which are executed within your database
and can be called remotely using the [REST and GraphQL API](../api).

For use-cases which require low-latency, use [Edge Functions](../../guides/functions), which are globally-distributed and can be written in Typescript.

### Security `definer` vs `invoker`

Postgres allows you to specify whether you want the function to be executed as the user _calling_ the function (`invoker`), or as the _creator_ of the function (`definer`). For example:

```sql
create function hello_world()
returns text
language plpgsql
security definer set search_path = ''
as $$
begin
  select 'hello world';
end;
$$;
```

It is best practice to use `security invoker` (which is also the default). If you ever use `security definer`, you _must_ set the `search_path`.
If you use an empty search path (`search_path = ''`), you must explicitly state the schema for every relation in the function body (e.g. `from public.table`).
This limits the potential damage if you allow access to schemas which the user executing the function should not have.

### Function privileges

By default, database functions can be executed by any role. There are two main ways to restrict this:

1.  On a case-by-case basis. Specifically revoke permissions for functions you want to protect. Execution needs to be revoked for both `public` and the role you're restricting:

    ```sql
    revoke execute on function public.hello_world from public;
    revoke execute on function public.hello_world from anon;
    ```

1.  Restrict function execution by default. Specifically _grant_ access when you want a function to be executable by a specific role.

    To restrict all existing functions, revoke execution permissions from both `public` _and_ the role you want to restrict:

    ```sql
    revoke execute on all functions in schema public from public;
    revoke execute on all functions in schema public from anon, authenticated;
    ```

    To restrict all new functions, change the default privileges for both `public` _and_ the role you want to restrict:

    ```sql
    alter default privileges in schema public revoke execute on functions from public;
    alter default privileges in schema public revoke execute on functions from anon, authenticated;
    ```

    You can then regrant permissions for a specific function to a specific role:

    ```sql
    grant execute on function public.hello_world to authenticated;
    ```

### Debugging functions

You can add logs to help you debug functions. This is especially recommended for complex functions.

Good targets to log include:

- Values of (non-sensitive) variables
- Returned results from queries

#### General logging

To create custom logs in the [Dashboard's Postgres Logs](/dashboard/project/_/logs/postgres-logs), you can use the `raise` keyword. By default, there are 3 observed severity levels:

- `log`
- `warning`
- `exception` (error level)

```sql
create function logging_example(
  log_message text,
  warning_message text,
  error_message text
)
returns void
language plpgsql
as $$
begin
  raise log 'logging message: %', log_message;
  raise warning 'logging warning: %', warning_message;

  -- immediately ends function and reverts transaction
  raise exception 'logging error: %', error_message;
end;
$$;

select logging_example('LOGGED MESSAGE', 'WARNING MESSAGE', 'ERROR MESSAGE');
```

#### Error handling

You can create custom errors with the `raise exception` keywords.

A common pattern is to throw an error when a variable doesn't meet a condition:

```sql
create or replace function error_if_null(some_val text)
returns text
language plpgsql
as $$
begin
  -- error if some_val is null
  if some_val is null then
    raise exception 'some_val should not be NULL';
  end if;
  -- return some_val if it is not null
  return some_val;
end;
$$;

select error_if_null(null);
```

Value checking is common, so Postgres provides a shorthand: the `assert` keyword. It uses the following format:

```sql
-- throw error when condition is false
assert <some condition>, 'message';
```

Below is an example

```sql
create function assert_example(name text)
returns uuid
language plpgsql
as $$
declare
  student_id uuid;
begin
  -- save a user's id into the user_id variable
  select
    id into student_id
  from attendance_table
  where student = name;

  -- throw an error if the student_id is null
  assert student_id is not null, 'assert_example() ERROR: student not found';

  -- otherwise, return the user's id
  return student_id;
end;
$$;

select assert_example('Harry Potter');
```

Error messages can also be captured and modified with the `exception` keyword:

```sql
create function error_example()
returns void
language plpgsql
as $$
begin
  -- fails: cannot read from nonexistent table
  select * from table_that_does_not_exist;

  exception
      when others then
          raise exception 'An error occurred in function <function name>: %', sqlerrm;
end;
$$;
```

#### Advanced logging

For more complex functions or complicated debugging, try logging:

- Formatted variables
- Individual rows
- Start and end of function calls

```sql
create or replace function advanced_example(num int default 10)
returns text
language plpgsql
as $$
declare
    var1 int := 20;
    var2 text;
begin
    -- Logging start of function
    raise log 'logging start of function call: (%)', (select now());

    -- Logging a variable from a SELECT query
    select
      col_1 into var1
    from some_table
    limit 1;
    raise log 'logging a variable (%)', var1;

    -- It is also possible to avoid using variables, by returning the values of your query to the log
    raise log 'logging a query with a single return value(%)', (select col_1 from some_table limit 1);

    -- If necessary, you can even log an entire row as JSON
    raise log 'logging an entire row as JSON (%)', (select to_jsonb(some_table.*) from some_table limit 1);

    -- When using INSERT or UPDATE, the new value(s) can be returned
    -- into a variable.
    -- When using DELETE, the deleted value(s) can be returned.
    -- All three operations use "RETURNING value(s) INTO variable(s)" syntax
    insert into some_table (col_2)
    values ('new val')
    returning col_2 into var2;

    raise log 'logging a value from an INSERT (%)', var2;

    return var1 || ',' || var2;
exception
    -- Handle exceptions here if needed
    when others then
        raise exception 'An error occurred in function <advanced_example>: %', sqlerrm;
end;
$$;

select advanced_example();
```

## Resources

- Official Client libraries: [JavaScript](../../reference/javascript/rpc) and [Flutter](../../reference/dart/rpc)
- Community client libraries: [github.com/supabase-community](https://github.com/supabase-community)
- Postgres Official Docs: [Chapter 9. Functions and Operators](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/functions.html)
- Postgres Reference: [CREATE FUNCTION](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/sql-createfunction.html)

## Deep dive

### Create Database Functions

<div className="video-container">
  <iframe
    src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MJZCCpCYEqk"
    frameBorder="1"
    allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
    allowFullScreen
  ></iframe>
</div>

### Call Database Functions using JavaScript

<div className="video-container">
  <iframe
    src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/I6nnp9AINJk"
    frameBorder="1"
    allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
    allowFullScreen
  ></iframe>
</div>

### Using Database Functions to call an external API

<div className="video-container">
  <iframe
    src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/rARgrELRCwY"
    frameBorder="1"
    allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
    allowFullScreen
  ></iframe>
</div>
