Re: Bug in 7.2.1? -- ERROR: Adding columns with defaults is not implemented.

On Sat, Jul 06, 2002 at 05:33:29PM -0700, ad wolf wrote:
> Using pg 7.1.2, I can enter the following statement successfully:
>
> # alter table manufacturer add column dummy integer not null default
> 1;

Yes, it succeeds. But check the table after you're done: the "not
null" has not taken effect. In fact, it's not implemented, and it
just fails silently in the 7.1 series.

>
> However, under 7.2.1, the same statement gets me --
>
> ERROR: Adding columns with defaults is not implemented.
> Add the column, then use ALTER TABLE SET DEFAULT.
>
> My question is two-fold -- first, is this new behavior a feature, or a
> bug?

A feature to address the previous bug (silent failure of a legal SQL
statement).

> Second, what features/fixes would i lose by reverting to 7.1.2?

There were a number of bugfixes in 7.2. Also, the planner and
optimiser are much improved, and there is the nice new
statistics-gathering subsystem.

> I'd like to stick with 7.2.1, but this new behavior is making it
> difficult for me. I can't simply drop & recreate all my tables just
> to add a column!

You can add a constraint to get the NOT NULL feature.

A

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