Re: CREATE TABLE AS, section IF NOT EXISTS should clarify what happens to the data

fOn Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 06:47:19PM -0700, David G. Johnston wrote:
> Not only is the existing table not modified, I think that the select query
> portion of the command is never even executed.  That would seem to be useful
> knowledge to have.
>
> Maybe something like:
>
> <para>
>  Do not throw an error if a relation with the same name already exists.
>  A notice is issued in this case.
>  If <literal>WITH DATA</literal> is specified (the default) the execution of
> the parsed query does not happen, leaving the existing table with its existing
> contents.
> </para>

I tried to go in that direction, but couldn't clearly name the
SELECT/VALUES part of the CREATE TABLE AS query because CREATE TABLE
AS is also a query. I felt trying to say we ran the CREATE TABLE AS
query but not the SELECT/VALUES of the query was just too confusing. I
used "simply issue a notice" as implying that nothing else happens,
which I considered sufficient.
>
> I've removed the xref to create table as there is nothing additional there of
> material benefit - the sentence:

Okay, removed. Updated patch attached.

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

Indecision is a decision. Inaction is an action. Mark Batterson