SEQUENCE

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Syntax

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Scalar

sequence(start, stop [, step])

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Arguments

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Returns

• Type: ARRAY<BIGINT>, ARRAY<DATE> or ARRAY<TIMESTAMP>
• Possible values: Values from start toward stop, including stop when reached exactly.
• NULL behavior: Returns NULL for a typed NULL endpoint or a supplied typed NULL step. Omitting step uses the default for the sequence’s direction. An untyped NULL step is rejected; cast NULL to the required numeric or interval type if needed.
• Shape: One element per increment that remains within the inclusive endpoint.
• Ordering: Increment direction.

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Properties

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Usage notes

• Bounds are converted to a compatible integer or date/time type. Integer sequences return BIGINT elements even when query tools report a narrower ARRAY element type.
• Temporal steps add calendar months first, adjusting an invalid day to the last day of the month, then days, then the time component for TIMESTAMP. Fractions below a microsecond are discarded. TIMESTAMP values use microsecond precision with no time zone or UTC.

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Examples

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Typical behavior

SELECT sequence(1, 7, 2) AS "value";

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Generate a descending sequence

SELECT sequence(5, 1, -2) AS values_desc;

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Limitations

• Zero step or a step directed away from stop raises an error.
• Very large sequences require large allocations; numeric endpoint subtraction is unchecked.
• DATE steps ignore the interval nanosecond component. A sub-day-only DATE step or a mixed-sign calendar step that does not advance toward stop can fail to terminate. Use nonzero month/day DATE increments and steps that consistently advance toward stop.
• The source checks interval direction lexicographically by first nonzero months, then days, then nanoseconds. That direction check does not prove a mixed-component step actually advances.