Re: Documentation patch for date/time formatting functions

On Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 11:46:24AM +0900, Michael Paquier wrote:
> On Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 9:14 AM, Steve Crawford
> <scrawford(at)pinpointresearch(dot)com> wrote:
> > Due to a variety of messages over time regarding perceived weirdness in
> > to_timestamp and to_date, this patch adds "(see notes)" in the description
> > column for to_date and to_timestamp in the Formatting Functions table and
> > adds the following text to the opening of the usage notes for date/time
> > conversion:
> >
> > The to_date and to_timestamp functions exist to handle unusual input formats
> > that cannot be converted by simple casting. These functions interpret input
> > liberally and with minimal error checking and while they will produce valid
> > output, the conversion has the potential to yield unexpected results. Read
> > the following notes and test carefully before use. Casting is the preferred
> > method of conversion wherever possible.
> >
> > It also adds the following usage note:
> >
> > Input to to_date and to_timestamp is not restricted to normal ranges thus
> > to_date('20096040','YYYYMMDD') returns 2014-01-17 rather than causing an
> > error.
> >
> > This is the first patch I have submitted directly. Please advise if I have
> > made any errors in method, style, etc.
> Sure. You should do the following things:
> - attach a proper patch to the email you are sending such as people
> can easily download it and have a look at it without having to
> regenerate it themselves
> - submit it to the next commit fest if you want to have it reviewed:
> https://commitfest.postgresql.org/action/commitfest_view?id=20. Next
> commit fest begins on the 15th of November and your patch is simple,
> so for sure somebody will show up and have a closer look at it.

I have applied a modified version of your doc patch, attached. I didn't
bother with "See below" as everyone seems to find that section.

Thanks.

--
Bruce Momjian <bruce(at)momjian(dot)us> http://momjian.us
EnterpriseDB http://enterprisedb.com

+ Everyone has their own god. +