Re: Doing multiple steps at once

Detlef Jockheck <detlef(at)jockheck(dot)de> writes:
> 1st: I create/clear a temporary table c
> 2nd: doing a "insert into c select something from a"
> 3rd: doing a "insert into c select something from b"
> 4th: calculate a result with "select something from c group by column"

> Is it possible to do the four steps (1-4) at once (with a function, procedure
> or so?)

Do you need a temp table at all? The given calculation could be done
with something like

SELECT whatever
FROM (SELECT something FROM a
UNION ALL
SELECT something FROM b) ss
GROUP BY column

I can't see a need for a temp table unless your intention is to scan the
UNION result multiple times, in which case building the temp table might
be faster than repeating the UNION.

regards, tom lane