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Node.js and Sequelize: how to to create entries with unique constraints on composite keys

👀 Views: 346 💬 Answers: 1 📅 Created: 2025-06-05
node.js sequelize postgresql JavaScript

I'm working with an scenario while trying to insert entries into my PostgreSQL database using Sequelize in a Node.js application. The model has a composite unique constraint on two fields, `userId` and `postId`, but I'm working with a `SequelizeUniqueConstraintError` when attempting to save duplicate entries. I’ve set up my model like this: ```javascript const PostLike = sequelize.define('PostLike', { userId: { type: Sequelize.INTEGER, allowNull: false, }, postId: { type: Sequelize.INTEGER, allowNull: false, } }, { indexes: [{ unique: true, fields: ['userId', 'postId'] }] }); ``` I’ve tried using `findOrCreate` to avoid duplicates, but it doesn’t seem to work as expected because it still tries to create a record even when it exists. Here’s what I’ve implemented: ```javascript async function likePost(userId, postId) { try { const [postLike, created] = await PostLike.findOrCreate({ where: { userId, postId }, }); if (created) { console.log('Post liked!'); } else { console.log('You already liked this post.'); } } catch (behavior) { console.behavior('behavior liking post:', behavior); } } ``` However, I'm still receiving the unique constraint behavior when I try to call `likePost` multiple times with the same `userId` and `postId`. I've also verified that the database constraints are correctly set up. I’m using `sequelize` version 6.18.0 and `pg` version 8.6.0. What could be causing this scenario? Is there a better approach to handle this scenario? Any guidance would be appreciated! I'm working on a web app that needs to handle this.