Re: Reference function arguments by name

On 2013-05-11 09:20, Erwin Brandstetter wrote:
>
> On 11.05.2013 10:13, Sian Mountbatten wrote:
>> On 2013-05-09 21:46, Erwin Brandstetter wrote:
>>> Hi!
>>>
>>> The manual says here:
>>> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/interactive/sql-createfunction.html
>>> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/devel/static/sql-createfunction.html
>>>
>>>> argname
>>>>
>>>> The name of an argument. Some languages (currently only
>>>> PL/pgSQL) let you use the name in the function body. For other
>>>> languages the name of an input argument is just extra
>>>> documentation, so far as the function itself is concerned; but
>>>> you can use input argument names when calling a function to
>>>> improve readability (see Section 4.3
>>>> <http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/interactive/sql-syntax-calling-funcs.html>).
>>>> In any case, the name of an output argument is significant,
>>>> because it defines the column name in the result row type. (If
>>>> you omit the name for an output argument, the system will
>>>> choose a default column name.)
>>>>
>>>
>>> This has changed in version 9.2. SQL functions can reference the
>>> name. Ergo:
>>>
>>> s /(currently only PL/pgSQL) / (currently only PL/pgSQL and SQL)
>>>
>>>
>>> I tested it and it's /correctly /documented here:
>>> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/interactive/xfunc-sql.html#XFUNC-SQL-FUNCTION-ARGUMENTS
>>>
>>> > Arguments of a SQL function can be referenced in the function body
>>> using either names or numbers.
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards
>>> Erwin
>> It looks strongly that you people are of the opinion that "the code
>> documents
>> itself". That is a myth produced by lazy software developers who
>> cannot document
>> their code properly. You ought to be using Cweb for C code. Have a
>> look at
>> the code for SQLite to see how comments in C can be used to provide
>> decent
>> documentation
>>
>> Fortunately, I do not use C. I prefer a HIGH-level language :-)
>
> This reply seems unrelated.
>
> Regards
> Erwin
The point is that documentation of the code always takes 2nd place. Why
argue about readability when the only help you give to anybody who is
unfortunate enough to have to maintain your software are names of variables?
It doesn't matter a damn whether you put names in or out of a function.
What matters is what help do you give your hapless maintainers?

Sincerely

--
Sian Mountbatten
Algol 68 Specialist