Re: psql, 7.4, and the \d command

On Tue, 17 Feb 2004, Tom Lane wrote:

> Brendan Jurd <blakjak(at)blakjak(dot)sytes(dot)net> writes:
> > I'm not objecting to the incompatibility itself, but I do think more
> > information needs to be provided to the user. I humbly suggest that if
> > psql is not going to be fully backwards-compatible with previous
> > postgres backends, at the very least you should issue a warning when
> > psql connects to a partially compatible server.
>
> This has been discussed before. I think the reason for not doing it
> has been the difficulty of coming up with a useful warning that explains
> what will work and what won't. You suggest
>
> > WARNING: psql version is 7.4.1, but postgres server version is 7.3.4.
> > Some psql features may not function as expected.
>
> but you've got to admit that's pretty vague and unhelpful.

I'd rather something like:

WARNING: psql/pgsql client server version mismatch.
Things will break. You're on your own.

:-) At least it's honest