Re: [DOCS] Date/Time Types : internals

2012-04-26 Thread Tom Lane
Robert Haas  writes:
> So which calendar are we using, Julian or Gregorian?

Gregorian.  I fail to see anyplace that suggests we use the Julian
calendar.  We do understand the Julian date system, which is something
entirely different with a confusingly similar name.  (Julian dates are
just a count of days since a reference point in 4713 BC.)

regards, tom lane

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[DOCS] Behaviour of sql language function

2012-04-26 Thread Marcelo Sena
Hi all I noticed the following beaviour, if a command in a sql function
fails the other statements fail like if the entire function where
surrounded by a begin-commit block. While I find this behaviour nice, as
far as I could find, this behaviour is not documented[1]. I wished to
create a function that depends on such way of working but I cannot trust
that sql functions will continue to work that way on the next postgresql
versions.

So, is it documented somewhere?

I'm linking to a pastebin file that exemplifies the behaviour.

[1] - http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/sql-createfunction.html
[2] - http://pastebin.com/LWfFgH7L
--
Marcelo Lacerda


Re: [DOCS] Behaviour of sql language function

2012-04-26 Thread Kevin Grittner
Marcelo Sena  wrote:
 
> So, is it documented somewhere?
 
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/tutorial-transactions.html
 
| PostgreSQL actually treats every SQL statement as being executed
| within a transaction. If you do not issue a BEGIN command, then
| each individual statement has an implicit BEGIN and (if
| successful) COMMIT wrapped around it.
 
Combine this with the fact that a function can only run in the
context of a command, like:
 
SELECT func_name();
 
You have your guarantee -- as long as you understand the possible
action of subtransactions (like savepoints).
 
-Kevin

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Re: [DOCS] Date/Time Types : internals

2012-04-26 Thread Tom Lane
I wrote:
> Robert Haas  writes:
>> So which calendar are we using, Julian or Gregorian?

> Gregorian.  I fail to see anyplace that suggests we use the Julian
> calendar.  We do understand the Julian date system, which is something
> entirely different with a confusingly similar name.  (Julian dates are
> just a count of days since a reference point in 4713 BC.)

On further reflection I wonder whether we shouldn't just get rid of
"8.5.6. Internals", which is at best rather inappropriately placed.
A person reading this portion of the docs probably couldn't care less
whether we use Julian-date calculations internally.  It might be
appropriate to mention that in appendix B.4, where there's an actual
explanation of what Julian dates are; but not here.

What I think we should have here is an externally-facing specification,
that is state that we follow the Gregorian calendar rules even for years
before Pope Gregory's edict, and then reference B.4 for more info.

regards, tom lane

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Re: [DOCS] "TL;DR:"

2012-04-26 Thread Selena Deckelmann
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 10:35 AM, Kevin Grittner <
[email protected]> wrote:

> > "Kevin Grittner"  writes:
> >> How do people feel about "TL;DR:" being used at the start of a
> >> Wiki page to which we want to direct users?
>
> Tom Lane  wrote:
> > I think it's a pretty lousy way to start off this page in
> > particular; way too flippant for something we point newcomers to
> > when they ask for help.  +1 for rewriting in a more formal style.
>
> "Greg Sabino Mullane"  wrote:
> > Very inappropriate there: remove 'em!
>
> I took a shot at reworking the portion ahead of the TOC, but I know
> there are better wordsmiths than I out there.  If anyone wants to
> redo it, I won't be offended.
>
> I have a feeling the "Why were you sent this link?" section is a
> little harsh, too; but haven't taken a run at that yet.
>
>
Reworded it. Now looking at the rest of the document.

-selena


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Re: [DOCS] "TL;DR:"

2012-04-26 Thread Selena Deckelmann
On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 5:22 PM, Selena Deckelmann wrote:

>
>
> On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 10:35 AM, Kevin Grittner <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> > "Kevin Grittner"  writes:
>> >> How do people feel about "TL;DR:" being used at the start of a
>> >> Wiki page to which we want to direct users?
>>
>> Tom Lane  wrote:
>> > I think it's a pretty lousy way to start off this page in
>> > particular; way too flippant for something we point newcomers to
>> > when they ask for help.  +1 for rewriting in a more formal style.
>>
>> "Greg Sabino Mullane"  wrote:
>> > Very inappropriate there: remove 'em!
>>
>> I took a shot at reworking the portion ahead of the TOC, but I know
>> there are better wordsmiths than I out there.  If anyone wants to
>> redo it, I won't be offended.
>>
>> I have a feeling the "Why were you sent this link?" section is a
>> little harsh, too; but haven't taken a run at that yet.
>>
>>
> Reworded it. Now looking at the rest of the document.
>

Ok, I made some changes. The numbering really stymied me.

Greg -- is there a better way to manage the numbering? One of the problems
with the long lists is that they are not numbered - so if you're a poor bug
reporter trying to scan that list, you lose your place. But I want the
formatting to be consistent without having to give numbers to the
sub-points.

-selena


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