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44.6. pg_attrdef

The catalog pg_attrdef stores column default values. The main information about columns is stored in pg_attribute (see below). Only columns that explicitly specify a default value (when the table is created or the column is added) will have an entry here.

Table 44-6. pg_attrdef Columns

Name Type References Description
adrelid oid pg_class.oid The table this column belongs to
adnum int2 pg_attribute.attnum The number of the column
adbin text   The internal representation of the column default value
adsrc text   A human-readable representation of the default value

The adsrc field is historical, and is best not used, because it does not track outside changes that might affect the representation of the default value. Reverse-compiling the adbin field (with pg_get_expr for example) is a better way to display the default value.