Re: Add column if not exists (CINE)

On Tue, Apr 27, 2010 at 6:45 PM, Kjell Rune Skaaraas <kjella79(at)yahoo(dot)no> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I've been reading the earlier threads at:
> http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-hackers/2009-05/thrd7.php#00252
> http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-hackers/2005-10/thrd4.php#00632
> and I'm not sure I have anything that substantially new to add but:
>
> 1. I can't see there's an unambiguity about what the syntax would do. It is IF NOT EXISTS, not IF NOT LIKE. Anyone who shoots themselves in the foot by calling a CINE and thinking that a preexisting differently defined column is magically converted deserves it. Either it should act exactly like the non-CINE command, or do nothing at all as if the statement wasn't there.
>
> 2. The use case is pretty clear to me - flexible scripts that'll bring all earlier database versions to the latest schema. I've been experimenting in 9.0 alpha with calling DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS then ADD CONSTRAINT with named constants for a CINE effect. which as a side effect will correct any updated constraints too - and it works great. Unfortunately DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS then ADD COLUMN has the side effect of deleting all the data, so that's hardly usable.
>
> I saw some indications that this might be a minority opinion, well I would like to cast a vote FOR this functionality. The workarounds are ugly, the solution simple and while I agree it's possible to misuse it, my opinion is that you shouldn't become a surgeon if you can't handle a scalpel. In this case I get the feeling I'm reading instructions on how to do surgery with a butter knife because we don't dare hand out anything sharper.

I've already said my piece on this, but I couldn't agree more. Well
said, and your use case is exactly the one I want it for.

...Robert