if you have .sql file with COPY table FROM stdin; and the table doesn't exist, psql prints a lot of errors from lines which contain only data for copy. to reproduce: => echo -ne "COPY non_existing_table FROM stdin;\n1\n\\N\n2\n\\.\n" | psql ERROR: relation "non_existing_table" does not exist invalid command \N invalid command \. ERROR: syntax error at or near "1" LINE 1: 1 ^ would it be possible to make it smarter, so it will not treat datalines from failed copy as statements? i see a lot of questions that "postgresql says command \N is invalid" - which is of course rubbish, but making psql a bit smarter would make all of these question go away. regards, depesz -- quicksil1er: "postgres is excellent, but like any DB it requires a highly paid DBA. here's my CV!" :) http://www.depesz.com/ - blog dla ciebie (i moje CV)