Re: psql variable interpolation with subsequent underscore

maybe a stupid answer,
but why not use another language (plpgsql? python?).
Is it because of transaction issue?
Sorry for not being more helpfull.
Cheers,
Rémi-C

2013/11/8 Tim Kane <tim(dot)kane(at)gmail(dot)com>

> Hi all,
>
> I’m having difficulty using variable interpolation within psql, where that
> variable is within a table name…
>
>
> Like so..
>
> =# set YYYYMM 201310
> =# select :YYYYMM;
> ?column?
> ----------
> 201309
> (1 row)
>
>
> =# alter table my_table rename to my_table_:YYYYMM_raw;
> ERROR: syntax error at or near ":"
> LINE 1: …my_table rename to my_table_:YYYYMM_ra...
> ^
>
> The problem is that psql tries to interpret ‘YYYYMM_raw’ as the variable
> name, but my intention is to only interpret ‘YYYYMM’ followed by a literal
> underscore.
>
> I can’t find any other way to encapsulate the variable name in this way…
> Is there a trick to it?
>
> I suspect I’ll need to work around this by altering the naming convention
> such that the YYYYMM is at the ‘end’ of the table name. Maybe.. Thoughts?
>
>
> Tim
>
>
>
>