[GENERAL] SQL function inlining

[John D. Burger]

I'm having trouble figuring out when (if) the planner inlines sql  
functions (I'm running 7.4).  I was assuming that pure sql functions  
are kind of like views with parameters, but I can't seem to see any  
cases where functions that select from a table get inlined.  For  
instance:

create function login_count (integer) returns bigint
  language sql stable as
  'select count(*) from logins where user_id = $1;';
# explain select user_id, login_count(user_id) from users;
                          QUERY PLAN
--------------------------------------------------------------
Seq Scan on users  (cost=0.00..15418.36 rows=480189 width=4)

I'd hoped this would turn into a join on the logins and users tables,  
but no joy.  Are there any circumstances (in 7.4) where such  
functions get inlined?

Thanks.

- John Burger
  MITRE

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