Re: How to implement a value alias or synonym

http://www.postgresql.org/message-id/440D446E.7040509@cybertec.at

From: pgsql-general-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org
[mailto:pgsql-general-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org] On Behalf Of Gauthier, Dave
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 3:49 PM
To: pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: [GENERAL] How to implement a value alias or synonym

Hi:

v9.0.1 on linux

Is there a way to query on synonyms of a value transparent to the user?

For example, a column called "animal" can have any text value, including
'horse' and 'cow' and 'pig'. But I want the user to find all the
animal='pig' records if they specify 'hog' instead.

So..

select * from thetable where animal = 'pig'

..would generate the same results as...

select * from thetable where animal = 'hog'

There are no 'hog' records in the table, just 'pig' records. And I want
to have control over the synonyms, perhaps in some sort of ref table ?

Thanks in Advance for any ideas.