diff options
| author | Bruce Momjian | 2005-12-08 21:37:54 +0000 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Bruce Momjian | 2005-12-08 21:37:54 +0000 |
| commit | 5e6e9526c98f2f0975011ec3de0b8fcf9f74970f (patch) | |
| tree | d2dc8b1ba0f36a25d27b3376531dd613231b038e | |
| parent | e2d7e03fb289474aea054b0640b275718c2c0261 (diff) | |
Update 8.1.X FAQs.
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/FAQ | 139 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/FAQ_AIX | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/FAQ_DEV | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/src/FAQ/FAQ.html | 325 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/src/FAQ/FAQ_DEV.html | 110 |
5 files changed, 337 insertions, 241 deletions
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL - Last updated: Fri Nov 4 20:35:04 EST 2005 + Last updated: Tue Nov 22 11:26:48 EST 2005 Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (pgman@candle.pha.pa.us) @@ -15,18 +15,18 @@ General Questions 1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced? - 1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL? - 1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support? - 1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL? - 1.5) Where can I get support? - 1.6) How do I submit a bug report? - 1.7) What is the latest release? - 1.8) What documentation is available? + 1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL? + 1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL? + 1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support? + 1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL? + 1.6) What is the latest release? + 1.7) Where can I get support? + 1.8) How do I submit a bug report? 1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features? - 1.10) How can I learn SQL? - 1.11) How do I join the development team? - 1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs? - 1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL? + 1.10) What documentation is available? + 1.11) How can I learn SQL? + 1.12) How do I join the development team? + 1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs? User Client Questions @@ -101,13 +101,25 @@ company. To get involved, see the developer's FAQ at http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html - 1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL? + 1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL? - PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. It has no - restrictions on how the source code can be used. We like it and have - no intention of changing it. + If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, or + controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a core + committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for + administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by the + community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All you need + to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the + discussions. (See the Developer's FAQ for information on how to get + involved in PostgreSQL development.) - This is the BSD license we use: + 1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL? + + PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically, it + allows users to do anything they want with the code, including + reselling binaries without the source code. The only restriction is + that you not hold us legally liable for problems with the software. + There is also the requirement that this copyright appear in all copies + of the software. Here is the actual BSD license we use: PostgreSQL Data Base Management System @@ -134,7 +146,7 @@ CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS. - 1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support? + 1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support? In general, any modern Unix-compatible platform should be able to run PostgreSQL. The platforms that had received explicit testing at the @@ -151,12 +163,19 @@ http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgre SQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F. - 1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL? + 1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL? Via web browser, use http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/, and via ftp, use ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/. - 1.5) Where can I get support? + 1.6) What is the latest release? + + The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1. + + We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases every + few months. + + 1.7) Where can I get support? The PostgreSQL community provides assistance to many of its users via email. The main web site to subscribe to the email lists is @@ -172,22 +191,56 @@ A list of commercial support companies is available at http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php. - 1.6) How do I submit a bug report? + 1.8) How do I submit a bug report? Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at - http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug. - - Also check out our ftp site ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/ to see if - there is a more recent PostgreSQL version. - - 1.7) What is the latest release? + http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug. Also check out our ftp + site ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/ to see if there is a more recent + PostgreSQL version. + + Bugs submitted using the bug form or posted to any PostgreSQL mailing + list typically generates one of the following replies: + * It is not a bug, and why + * It is a known bug and is already on the TODO list + * The bug has been fixed in the current release + * The bug has been fixed but is not packaged yet in an official + release + * A request is made for more detailed information: + + Operating system + + PostgreSQL version + + Reproducible test case + + Debugging information + + Debugger backtrace output + * The bug is new. The following might happen: + + A patch is created and will be included in the next major or + minor release + + The bug cannot be fixed immediately and is added to the TODO + list + + 1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features? - The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1. + PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of SQL:2003. See our TODO list + for known bugs, missing features, and future plans. - We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases every - few months. + A feature request usually results in one of the following replies: + * The feature is already on the TODO list + * The feature is not desired because: + + It duplicates existing functionality that already follows the + SQL standard + + The feature would increase code complexity but add little + benefit + + The feature would be insecure or unreliable + * The new feature is added to the TODO list + + PostgreSQL does not use a bug tracking system because we find it more + efficient to respond directly to email and keep the TODO list + up-to-date. In practice, bugs don't last very long in the software, + and bugs that affect a large number of users are fixed rapidly. The + only place to find all changes, improvements, and fixes in a + PostgreSQL release is to read the CVS log messages. Even the release + notes do not list every change made to the software. - 1.8) What documentation is available? + 1.10) What documentation is available? PostgreSQL includes extensive documentation, including a large manual, manual pages, and some test examples. See the /doc directory. You can @@ -208,12 +261,7 @@ Our web site contains even more documentation. - 1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features? - - PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of SQL:2003. See our TODO list - for known bugs, missing features, and future plans. - - 1.10) How can I learn SQL? + 1.11) How can I learn SQL? First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above. Another one is "Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days, Second Edition" at @@ -227,11 +275,11 @@ http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/graeme_birchall/HTM_COOK.HTM, and at http://sqlcourse.com. - 1.11) How do I join the development team? + 1.12) How do I join the development team? See the Developer's FAQ. - 1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs? + 1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs? There are several ways of measuring software: features, performance, reliability, support, and price. @@ -266,23 +314,12 @@ community, manuals, and the source code often make PostgreSQL support superior to other DBMSs. There is commercial per-incident support available for those who need it. (See FAQ - section 1.5.) + section 1.7.) Price We are free for all use, both commercial and non-commercial. You can add our code to your product with no limitations, except those outlined in our BSD-style license stated above. - - 1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL? - - If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, or - controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a core - committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for - administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by the - community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All you need - to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the - discussions. (See the Developer's FAQ for information on how to get - involved in PostgreSQL development.) _________________________________________________________________ User Client Questions diff --git a/doc/FAQ_AIX b/doc/FAQ_AIX index 19fb9b251dd..b545912a3a7 100644 --- a/doc/FAQ_AIX +++ b/doc/FAQ_AIX @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ From: Zeugswetter Andreas <ZeugswetterA@spardat.at> -$Date: 2005/12/08 21:36:55 $ +$Date: 2005/12/08 21:37:53 $ On AIX 4.3.2 PostgreSQL compiled with the native IBM compiler xlc (vac.C 5.0.1) passes all regression tests. Other versions of OS and diff --git a/doc/FAQ_DEV b/doc/FAQ_DEV index ac8b8ff0aeb..78974070284 100644 --- a/doc/FAQ_DEV +++ b/doc/FAQ_DEV @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ Developer's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL - Last updated: Thu Oct 27 09:48:14 EDT 2005 + Last updated: Tue Nov 22 10:17:51 EST 2005 Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (pgman@candle.pha.pa.us) diff --git a/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ.html b/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ.html index a6f44a014fe..7ca3c183270 100644 --- a/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ.html +++ b/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ.html @@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ alink="#0000ff"> <H1>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL</H1> - <P>Last updated: Fri Nov 4 20:35:04 EST 2005</P> + <P>Last updated: Tue Nov 22 11:26:48 EST 2005</P> <P>Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (<A href= "mailto:pgman@candle.pha.pa.us">pgman@candle.pha.pa.us</A>) @@ -26,97 +26,97 @@ <HR> <H2 align="center">General Questions</H2> - <A href="#1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?<BR> - <A href="#1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR> - <A href="#1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR> - <A href="#1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR> - <A href="#1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get support?<BR> - <A href="#1.6">1.6</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR> - <A href="#1.7">1.7</A>) What is the latest release?<BR> - <A href="#1.8">1.8</A>) What documentation is available?<BR> - <A href="#1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or - missing features?<BR> - <A href="#1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn <SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR> - <A href="#1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR> - <A href="#1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other + <A href="#item1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?<BR> + <A href="#item1.2">1.2</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR> + <A href="#item1.3">1.3</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR> + <A href="#item1.4">1.4</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR> + <A href="#item1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR> + <A href="#item1.6">1.6</A>) What is the latest release?<BR> + <A href="#item1.7">1.7</A>) Where can I get support?<BR> + <A href="#item1.8">1.8</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR> + <A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or + missing features?<BR> + <A href="#item1.10">1.10</A>) What documentation is available?<BR> + <A href="#item1.11">1.11</A>) How can I learn <SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR> + <A href="#item1.12">1.12</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR> + <A href="#item1.13">1.13</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other <SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?<BR> - <A href="#1.13">1.13</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR> <H2 align="center">User Client Questions</H2> - <A href="#2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for + <A href="#item2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for PostgreSQL?<BR> - <A href="#2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using + <A href="#item2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using PostgreSQL with Web pages?<BR> - <A href="#2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user + <A href="#item2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user interface?<BR> <H2 align="center">Administrative Questions</H2> - <A href="#3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere other + <A href="#item3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere other than <I>/usr/local/pgsql</I>?<BR> - <A href="#3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other + <A href="#item3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other hosts?<BR> - <A href="#3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for + <A href="#item3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for better performance?<BR> - <A href="#3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR> - <A href="#3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many + <A href="#item3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR> + <A href="#item3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many clients"</I> when trying to connect?<BR> - <A href="#3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore + <A href="#item3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore to upgrade PostgreSQL releases?<BR> - <A href="#3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?<BR> + <A href="#item3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?<BR> <H2 align="center">Operational Questions</H2> - <A href="#4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the + <A href="#item4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the first few rows of a query? A random row?<BR> - <A href="#4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes, + <A href="#item4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes, databases, and users are defined? How do I see the queries used by <I>psql</I> to display them?<BR> - <A href="#4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?<BR> - <A href="#4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a + <A href="#item4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?<BR> + <A href="#item4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a table, and a database?<BR> - <A href="#4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required + <A href="#item4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required to store data from a typical text file?<BR> - <A href="#4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they + <A href="#item4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they use my indexes?<BR> - <A href="#4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is + <A href="#item4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is evaluating my query?<BR> - <A href="#4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression + <A href="#item4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression searches and case-insensitive regular expression searches? How do I use an index for case-insensitive searches?<BR> - <A href="#4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field + <A href="#item4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field is <SMALL>NULL</SMALL>? How can I sort on whether a field is <SMALL> NULL</SMALL> or not?<BR> - <A href="#4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the + <A href="#item4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the various character types?<BR> - <A href="#4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a + <A href="#item4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a serial/auto-incrementing field?<BR> - <A href="#4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a + <A href="#item4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> insert?<BR> - <A href="#4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I> + <A href="#item4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I> lead to a race condition with other users?<BR> - <A href="#4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers + <A href="#item4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers reused on transaction abort? Why are there gaps in the numbering of my sequence/SERIAL column?<BR> - <A href="#4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is a + <A href="#item4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is a <SMALL>CTID</SMALL>?<BR> - <A href="#4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: Memory + <A href="#item4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: Memory exhausted in AllocSetAlloc()"</I>?<BR> - <A href="#4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version I + <A href="#item4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version I am running?<BR> - <A href="#4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will + <A href="#item4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will default to the current time?<BR> - <A href="#4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?<BR> - <A href="#4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using multiple + <A href="#item4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?<BR> + <A href="#item4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using multiple databases?<BR> - <A href="#4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or columns + <A href="#item4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or columns from a function?<BR> - <A href="#4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID ##### + <A href="#item4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID ##### does not exist" errors when accessing temporary tables in PL/PgSQL functions?<BR> - <A href="#4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available?<BR> - <A href="#4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not + <A href="#item4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available?<BR> + <A href="#item4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not recognized in my query?<BR> @@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ <H2 align="center">General Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.1">1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL is pronounced <I>Post-Gres-Q-L</I>, and is also sometimes referred to as just <I>Postgres</I>. An audio file is available in @@ -145,14 +145,27 @@ http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html</A> </P> - <H3><A name="1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of - PostgreSQL?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.2">1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR></H3> + + <P>If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, + or controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a + core committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for + administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by + the community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All + you need to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the + discussions. (See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html"> + Developer's FAQ</A> for information on how to get involved in PostgreSQL + development.)</P> - <P>PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. It has - no restrictions on how the source code can be used. We like it and - have no intention of changing it.</P> + <H3 id="item1.3">1.3) What is the copyright of + PostgreSQL?</H3> - <P>This is the BSD license we use:</P> + <P>PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically, + it allows users to do anything they want with the code, including + reselling binaries without the source code. The only restriction is + that you not hold us legally liable for problems with the software. + There is also the requirement that this copyright appear in all copies + of the software. Here is the actual BSD license we use:</P> <P>PostgreSQL Data Base Management System</P> @@ -178,7 +191,7 @@ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.</P> - <H3><A name="1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.4">1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?</H3> <P>In general, any modern Unix-compatible platform should be able to run PostgreSQL. The platforms that had received explicit testing at @@ -197,14 +210,21 @@ "http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgreSQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F"> http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgreSQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F</a>.</p> - <H3><A name="1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.5">1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3> <P>Via web browser, use <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/"> http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/</a>, and via ftp, use <A href="ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/"> ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get support?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.6">1.6) What is the latest release?</H3> + + <P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.</P> + + <P>We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases + every few months.</P> + + <H3 id="item1.7">1.7) Where can I get support?</H3> <P>The PostgreSQL community provides assistance to many of its users via email. The main web site to subscribe to the email lists is @@ -223,24 +243,82 @@ "http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php"> http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.6">1.6</A>) How do I submit a bug report?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.8">1.8) How do I submit a bug report?</H3> <P>Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at <A href= "http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug"> - http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug</A>.</P> - - <P>Also check out our ftp site <A href= + http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug</A>. + Also check out our ftp site <A href= "ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/">ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A> to see if there is a more recent PostgreSQL version.</P> - <H3><A name="1.7">1.7</A>) What is the latest release?</H3> - - <P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.</P> + <P>Bugs submitted using the bug form or posted to any PostgreSQL mailing + list typically generates one of the following replies:</P> + <ul> + <li>It is not a bug, and why</li> + <li>It is a known bug and is already on the + <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> list</li> + <li>The bug has been fixed in the current release</li> + <li>The bug has been fixed but is not packaged yet in an official + release</li> + <li>A request is made for more detailed information: + <ul> + <li>Operating system</li> + <li>PostgreSQL version</li> + <li>Reproducible test case</li> + <li>Debugging information</li> + <li>Debugger backtrace output</li> + </ul> + </li> + <li>The bug is new. The following might happen: + <ul> + <li>A patch is created and will be included in the next major + or minor release</li> + <li>The bug cannot be fixed immediately and is added + to the <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> + list</li> + </ul> + </li> + </ul> + + <H3 id="item1.9">1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or + missing features?</H3> - <P>We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases - every few months.</P> + <P>PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of <SMALL>SQL:2003</SMALL>. + See our <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> + list for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.</P> - <H3><A name="1.8">1.8</A>) What documentation is available?</H3> + <P>A feature request usually results in one of the following + replies:</P> + <ul> + <li>The feature is already on the + <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> + list</li> + <li>The feature is not desired because: + <ul> + <li>It duplicates existing functionality that already + follows the SQL standard</li> + <li>The feature would increase code complexity but add little + benefit</li> + <li>The feature would be insecure or unreliable</li> + </ul> + </li> + <li>The new feature is added to the + <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> list</li> + </ul> + + <P>PostgreSQL does not use a bug tracking system because we find + it more efficient to respond directly to email and keep the + <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> + list up-to-date. In practice, bugs don't last very long in the + software, and bugs that affect a large number of users are fixed + rapidly. The only place to find all changes, improvements, and + fixes in a PostgreSQL release is to read the + <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/developer/sourcecode/">CVS</a> + log messages. Even the release notes do not list every change + made to the software.</P> + + <H3 id="item1.10">1.10) What documentation is available?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL includes extensive documentation, including a large manual, manual pages, and some test examples. See the <I>/doc</I> @@ -266,14 +344,7 @@ <P>Our web site contains even more documentation.</P> - <H3><A name="1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or - missing features?</H3> - - <P>PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of <SMALL>SQL:2003</SMALL>. - See our <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> - list for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.</P> - - <H3><A name="1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn + <H3 id="item1.11">1.11) How can I learn <SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?</H3> <P>First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above. @@ -292,13 +363,13 @@ and at <A href= "http://sqlcourse.com/">http://sqlcourse.com.</A></P> - <H3><A name="1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development + <H3 id="item1.12">1.12) How do I join the development team?</H3> <P>See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html"> Developer's FAQ</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other + <H3 id="item1.13">1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other <SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?</H3> <P>There are several ways of measuring software: features, @@ -345,7 +416,7 @@ community, manuals, and the source code often make PostgreSQL support superior to other <SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s. There is commercial per-incident support available for those who need it. - (See <A href="#1.5">FAQ section 1.5</A>.)<BR> + (See <A href="#item1.7">FAQ section 1.7</A>.)<BR> <BR> </DD> @@ -358,23 +429,11 @@ </DD> </DL> - <H3><A name="1.13">1.13</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR> - - <P>If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, - or controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a - core committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for - administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by - the community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All - you need to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the - discussions. (See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html"> - Developer's FAQ</A> for information on how to get involved in PostgreSQL - development.)</P> - <HR> <H2 align="center">User Client Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for + <H3 id="item2.1">2.1) What interfaces are available for PostgreSQL?</H3> <P>The PostgreSQL install includes only the <SMALL>C</SMALL> and embedded @@ -389,7 +448,7 @@ in the <I>Drivers/Interfaces</I> section and via Internet search. </P> - <H3><A name="2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using + <H3 id="item2.2">2.2) What tools are available for using PostgreSQL with Web pages?</H3> <P>A nice introduction to Database-backed Web pages can be seen at: @@ -402,7 +461,7 @@ <P>For complex cases, many use the Perl and DBD::Pg with CGI.pm or mod_perl.</P> - <H3><A name="2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user + <H3 id="item2.3">2.3) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user interface?</H3> <P>Yes, see <a href="http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/GUITools"> @@ -414,13 +473,13 @@ <H2 align="center">Administrative Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere + <H3 id="item3.1">3.1) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere other than <I>/usr/local/pgsql</I>?</H3> <P>Specify the <I>--prefix</I> option when running <I>configure</I>.</P> - <H3><A name="3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other + <H3 id="item3.2">3.2) How do I control connections from other hosts?</H3> <P>By default, PostgreSQL only allows connections from the local @@ -430,7 +489,7 @@ host-based authentication by modifying the <I>$PGDATA/pg_hba.conf</I> file, and restart the server.</P> - <H3><A name="3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for + <H3 id="item3.3">3.3) How do I tune the database engine for better performance?</H3> <P>There are three major areas for potential performance @@ -487,14 +546,14 @@ </DD> </DL> - <H3><A name="3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are + <H3 id="item3.4">3.4) What debugging features are available?</H3> <P>There are many <CODE>log_*</CODE> server configuration variables that enable printing of query and process statistics which can be very useful for debugging and performance measurements.</P> - <H3><A name="3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many + <H3 id="item3.5">3.5) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many clients"</I> when trying to connect?</H3> <P>You have reached the default limit is 100 database sessions. You @@ -503,7 +562,7 @@ <I>max_connections</I> value in <I>postgresql.conf</I> and restarting the <I>postmaster</I>.</P> - <H3><A name="3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore + <H3 id="item3.6">3.6) Why do I need to do a dump and restore to upgrade between major PostgreSQL releases?</H3> <P>The PostgreSQL team makes only small changes between minor releases, @@ -514,7 +573,7 @@ data in a generic format that can then be loaded in using the new internal format.</P> - <H3><A name="3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?</H3> + <H3 id="item3.7">3.7) What computer hardware should I use?</H3> <P>Because PC hardware is mostly compatible, people tend to believe that all PC hardware is of equal quality. It is not. ECC RAM, SCSI, and @@ -528,7 +587,7 @@ <H2 align="center">Operational Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the + <H3 id="item4.1">4.1) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the first few rows of a query? A random row?</H3> <P>To retrieve only a few rows, if you know at the number of rows @@ -547,7 +606,7 @@ LIMIT 1; </PRE> - <H3><A name="4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes, + <H3 id="item4.2">4.2) How do I find out what tables, indexes, databases, and users are defined? How do I see the queries used by <I>psql</I> to display them?</H3> @@ -570,7 +629,7 @@ illustrates many of the <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL>s needed to get information from the database system tables.</P> - <H3><A name="4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?</H3> + <H3 id="item4.3">4.3) How do you change a column's data type?</H3> <P>Changing the data type of a column can be done easily in 8.0 and later with <SMALL>ALTER TABLE ALTER COLUMN TYPE</SMALL>.</P> @@ -586,7 +645,7 @@ <P>You might then want to do <I>VACUUM FULL tab</I> to reclaim the disk space used by the expired rows.</P> - <H3><A name="4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a + <H3 id="item4.4">4.4) What is the maximum size for a row, a table, and a database?</H3> <P>These are the limits:</P> @@ -623,7 +682,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> of an MD5 hash of the long column, and full text indexing allows for searching of words within the column.</P> - <H3><A name="4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required + <H3 id="item4.5">4.5) How much database disk space is required to store data from a typical text file?</H3> <P>A PostgreSQL database may require up to five times the disk @@ -660,7 +719,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> <P><SMALL>NULL</SMALL>s are stored as bitmaps, so they use very little space.</P> - <H3><A name="4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they + <H3 id="item4.6">4.6) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they use my indexes?</H3> <P>Indexes are not used by every query. Indexes are used only if the @@ -711,7 +770,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> e.g. [a-e].</LI> <LI>Case-insensitive searches such as <SMALL>ILIKE</SMALL> and <I>~*</I> do not utilize indexes. Instead, use expression - indexes, which are described in section <a href="#4.8">4.8</a>.</LI> + indexes, which are described in section <a href="#item4.8">4.8</a>.</LI> <LI>The default <I>C</I> locale must be used during <i>initdb</i> because it is not possible to know the next-greatest character in a non-C locale. You can create a special @@ -724,12 +783,12 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> types exactly match the index's column types. This was particularly true of int2, int8, and numeric column indexes.</P> - <H3><A name="4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is + <H3 id="item4.7">4.7) How do I see how the query optimizer is evaluating my query?</H3> <P>See the <SMALL>EXPLAIN</SMALL> manual page.</P> - <H3><A name="4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression + <H3 id="item4.8">4.8) How do I perform regular expression searches and case-insensitive regular expression searches? How do I use an index for case-insensitive searches?</H3> @@ -756,7 +815,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> case to be stored in the column, use a <SMALL>CHECK</SMALL> constraint or a trigger.</P> - <H3><A name="4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field + <H3 id="item4.9">4.9) In a query, how do I detect if a field is <SMALL>NULL</SMALL>? How can I sort on whether a field is <SMALL> NULL</SMALL> or not?</H3> @@ -780,7 +839,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR> ORDER BY (col IS NOT NULL) </PRE> - <H3><A name="4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the + <H3 id="item4.10">4.10) What is the difference between the various character types?</H3> <BLOCKQUOTE> <TABLE> @@ -816,7 +875,7 @@ length</TD></TR> particularly values that include <SMALL>NULL</SMALL> bytes. All the types described here have similar performance characteristics.</P> - <H3><A name="4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a + <H3 id="item4.11.1">4.11.1) How do I create a serial/auto-incrementing field?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL supports a <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> data type. It @@ -841,13 +900,13 @@ length</TD></TR> See the <I>create_sequence</I> manual page for more information about sequences. - <H3><A name="4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a + <H3 id="item4.11.2">4.11.2) How do I get the value of a <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> insert?</H3> <P>One approach is to retrieve the next <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> value from the sequence object with the <I>nextval()</I> function <I>before</I> inserting and then insert it explicitly. Using the - example table in <A href="#4.11.1">4.11.1</A>, an example in a + example table in <A href="#item4.11.1">4.11.1</A>, an example in a pseudo-language would look like this:</P> <PRE> new_id = execute("SELECT nextval('person_id_seq')"); @@ -870,13 +929,13 @@ length</TD></TR> new_id = execute("SELECT currval('person_id_seq')"); </PRE> - <H3><A name="4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I> + <H3 id="item4.11.3">4.11.3) Doesn't <I>currval()</I> lead to a race condition with other users?</H3> <P>No. <I>currval()</I> returns the current value assigned by your session, not by all sessions.</P> - <H3><A name="4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers + <H3 id="item4.11.4">4.11.4) Why aren't my sequence numbers reused on transaction abort? Why are there gaps in the numbering of my sequence/SERIAL column?</H3> @@ -885,7 +944,7 @@ length</TD></TR> completes. This causes gaps in numbering from aborted transactions.</P> - <H3><A name="4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is + <H3 id="item4.12">4.12) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is a <SMALL>CTID</SMALL>?</H3> <P>Every row that is created in PostgreSQL gets a unique @@ -908,7 +967,7 @@ length</TD></TR> are modified or reloaded. They are used by index entries to point to physical rows.</P> - <H3><A name="4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: + <H3 id="item4.13">4.13) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: Memory exhausted in AllocSetAlloc()"</I>?</H3> <P>You probably have run out of virtual memory on your system, @@ -927,12 +986,12 @@ length</TD></TR> backend is returning too much data, try it before starting the client. - <H3><A name="4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version + <H3 id="item4.14">4.14) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version I am running?</H3> <P>From <I>psql</I>, type <CODE>SELECT version();</CODE></P> - <H3><A name="4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will + <H3 id="item4.15">4.15) How do I create a column that will default to the current time?</H3> <P>Use <I>CURRENT_TIMESTAMP</I>:</P> @@ -940,7 +999,7 @@ length</TD></TR> CREATE TABLE test (x int, modtime TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ); </PRE> - <H3><A name="4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?</H3> + <H3 id="item4.16">4.16) How do I perform an outer join?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL supports outer joins using the SQL standard syntax. Here are two examples:</P> @@ -963,7 +1022,7 @@ length</TD></TR> <SMALL>RIGHT</SMALL>, and <SMALL>FULL</SMALL> joins. Ordinary joins are called <SMALL>INNER</SMALL> joins.</P> - <H3><A name="4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using + <H3 id="item4.17">4.17) How do I perform queries using multiple databases?</H3> <P>There is no way to query a database other than the current one. @@ -975,14 +1034,14 @@ length</TD></TR> connections to different databases and merge the results on the client side.</P> - <H3><A name="4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or + <H3 id="item4.18">4.18) How do I return multiple rows or columns from a function?</H3> <P>It is easy using set-returning functions, <a href="http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/SetReturningFunctions"> http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/SetReturningFunctions</a></P>. - <H3><A name="4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID ##### + <H3 id="item4.19">4.19) Why do I get "relation with OID ##### does not exist" errors when accessing temporary tables in PL/PgSQL functions?</H3> @@ -994,7 +1053,7 @@ length</TD></TR> <SMALL>EXECUTE</SMALL> for temporary table access in PL/PgSQL. This will cause the query to be reparsed every time.</P> - <H3><A name="4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available? + <H3 id="item4.20">4.20) What replication solutions are available? </H3> <P>Though "replication" is a single term, there are several technologies @@ -1016,17 +1075,17 @@ length</TD></TR> <P>There are also commercial and hardware-based replication solutions available supporting a variety of replication models.</P> - <H3><A name="4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not + <H3 id="item4.21">4.21) Why are my table and column names not recognized in my query?</H3> <P>The most common cause is the use of double-quotes around table or column names during table creation. When double-quotes are used, table and column names (called identifiers) are stored <a - href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/static/sql-syntax.html#SQL- - SYNTAX-IDENTIFIERS">case-sensitive</a>, meaning you must use - double-quotes when referencing the names in a query. Some interfaces, - like pgAdmin, automatically double-quote identifiers during table - creation. So, for identifiers to be recognized, you must either: + href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/static/sql-syntax.html#SQL-SYNTAX-IDENTIFIERS"> + case-sensitive</a>, meaning you must use double-quotes when + referencing the names in a query. Some interfaces, like pgAdmin, + automatically double-quote identifiers during table creation. So, + for identifiers to be recognized, you must either: <UL> <LI>Avoid double-quoting identifiers when creating tables</LI> <LI>Use only lowercase characters in identifiers</LI> diff --git a/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ_DEV.html b/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ_DEV.html index 7acb76feb94..1a08888e463 100644 --- a/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ_DEV.html +++ b/doc/src/FAQ/FAQ_DEV.html @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ <H1>Developer's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL</H1> - <P>Last updated: Thu Oct 27 09:48:14 EDT 2005</P> + <P>Last updated: Tue Nov 22 10:17:51 EST 2005</P> <P>Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (<A href= "mailto:pgman@candle.pha.pa.us">pgman@candle.pha.pa.us</A>)<BR> @@ -27,51 +27,51 @@ <H2>General Questions</H2> - <A href="#1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL + <A href="#item1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL development?<BR> - <A href="#1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required + <A href="#item1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required to develop code?<BR> - <A href="#1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?<BR> - <A href="#1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to + <A href="#item1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?<BR> + <A href="#item1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to work on?<BR> - <A href="#1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?<BR> - <A href="#1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the code?<BR> - <A href="#1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current + <A href="#item1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?<BR> + <A href="#item1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the code?<BR> + <A href="#item1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current source tree?<BR> - <A href="#1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?<BR> - <A href="#1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for + <A href="#item1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?<BR> + <A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for developers?<BR> - <A href="#1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for developers?<BR> - <A href="#1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?<BR> - <A href="#1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?<BR> - <A href="#1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw + <A href="#item1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for developers?<BR> + <A href="#item1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?<BR> + <A href="#item1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?<BR> + <A href="#item1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw devices, async-I/O, <insert your favorite wizz-bang feature here>?<BR> - <A href="#1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPM's packaged?<BR> - <A href="#1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches handled?<BR> - <A href="#1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL + <A href="#item1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPM's packaged?<BR> + <A href="#item1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches handled?<BR> + <A href="#item1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL standards?<BR> - <A href="#1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical + <A href="#item1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical assistance?<BR> - <A href="#1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL web + <A href="#item1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL web site development?<BR> <H2>Technical Questions</H2> - <A href="#2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information in + <A href="#item2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information in tables from the backend code?<BR> - <A href="#2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function, + <A href="#item2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function, view names sometimes referenced as <I>Name</I> or <I>NameData,</I> and sometimes as <I>char *?</I><BR> - <A href="#2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and <I>List</I> + <A href="#item2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and <I>List</I> to make data structures?<BR> - <A href="#2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure. What + <A href="#item2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure. What else should I do?<BR> - <A href="#2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and + <A href="#item2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and <I>pfree</I>() to allocate memory?<BR> - <A href="#2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?<BR> - <A href="#2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?<BR> - <A href="#2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR> + <A href="#item2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?<BR> + <A href="#item2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?<BR> + <A href="#item2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR> <BR> @@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ <H2>General Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL + <H3 id="item1.1">1.1) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL development?</H3> <P>Download the code and have a look around. See <A href= @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ contributors and core members of the project discuss development.</P> - <H3><A name="1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required + <H3 id="item1.2">1.2) What development environment is required to develop code?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL is developed mostly in the C programming language. It @@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ when you make a modification to a C header file, all files depend upon that file are also rebuilt.</P> - <H3><A name="1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.3">1.3) What areas need work?</H3> Outstanding features are detailed in the TODO list. This is located in <I>doc/TODO</I> in the source distribution or at <A href= "http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html"> @@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ archives, the SQL standards and the recommend texts (see <A href= "#1.10">1.10</A>).</P> - <H3><A name="1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to + <H3 id="item1.4">1.4) What do I do after choosing an item to work on?</H3> <P>Send an email to pgsql-hackers with a proposal for what you want @@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ <a href="http://momjian.postgresql.org/cgi-bin/pgpatches_hold"> http://momjian.postgresql.org/cgi-bin/pgpatches2</a>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.5">1.5) I've developed a patch, what next?</H3> <P>Generate the patch in contextual diff format. If you are unfamiliar with this, you might find the script @@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ that, let us know and we will manually update the documentation when the patch is applied.</P> - <H3><A name="1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the + <H3 id="item1.6">1.6) Where can I learn more about the code?</H3> <P>Other than documentation in the source tree itself, you can find @@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ "http://www.postgresql.org/developer"> http://www.postgresql.org/developer</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current + <H3 id="item1.7">1.7) How do I download/update the current source tree?</H3> <P>There are several ways to obtain the source tree. Occasional @@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ "http://developer.postgresql.org/docs/postgres/cvs.html"> http://developer.postgresql.org/docs/postgres/cvs.html</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.8">1.8) How do I test my changes?</H3> <P><B>Basic system testing</B></P> @@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ you can use the <I>--enable-depend</I> option of <I>configure</I> to have the compiler compute the dependencies automatically.</P> - <H3><A name="1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for + <H3 id="item1.9">1.9) What tools are available for developers?</H3> <P>First, all the files in the <I>src/tools</I> directory are @@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ There is also a script called <I>unused_oids</I> in <I>pgsql/src/include/catalog</I> that shows the unused oids.</P> - <H3><A name="1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for + <H3 id="item1.10">1.10) What books are good for developers?</H3> <P>I have four good books, <I>An Introduction to Database @@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ on-line written by Jim Gray at <A href= "http://www.benchmarkresources.com">http://www.benchmarkresources.com.</A>.</P> - <H3><A name="1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.11">1.11) What is configure all about?</H3> <P>The files <I>configure</I> and <I>configure.in</I> are part of the GNU <I>autoconf</I> package. Configure allows us to test for @@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ all files derived by configure are removed, so you see only the file contained in the source distribution.</P> - <H3><A name="1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.12">1.12) How do I add a new port?</H3> <P>There are a variety of places that need to be modified to add a new port. First, start in the <I>src/template</I> directory. Add an @@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ handling. There is a <I>backend/port</I> directory if you need special files for your OS.</P> - <H3><A name="1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw + <H3 id="item1.13">1.13) Why don't you use threads, raw devices, async-I/O, <insert your favorite wizz-bang feature here>?</H3> @@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ cautious about their adoption. The TODO list often contains links to discussions showing our reasoning in these areas.</P> - <H3><A name="1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPMs packaged?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.14">1.14) How are RPMs packaged?</H3> <P>This was written by Lamar Owen:</P> @@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ <P>Of course, there are many projects that DO include all the files necessary to build RPMs from their Official Tarball (TM).</P> - <H3><A name="1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches managed?</H3> + <H3 id="item1.15">1.15) How are CVS branches managed?</H3> <P>This was written by Tom Lane:</P> @@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ dot-release or two, so that we won't have to double-patch the first wave of fixes.</P> - <H3><A name="1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL + <H3 id="item1.16">1.16) Where can I get a copy of the SQL standards?</H3> <P>There are three versions of the SQL standard: SQL-92, SQL:1999, @@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ (paper)</LI> </UL> - <H3><A name="1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical + <H3 id="item1.17">1.17) Where can I get technical assistance?</H3> <P>Many technical questions held by those new to the code have been @@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ questions about development of new features, on IRC at irc.freenode.net in the #postgresql channel.</P> - <H3><A name="1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL + <H3 id="item1.18">1.18) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL web site development?</H3> <P>PostgreSQL website development is discussed on the @@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ <H2>Technical Questions</H2> - <H3><A name="2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information + <H3 id="item2.1">2.1) How do I efficiently access information in tables from the backend code?</H3> <P>You first need to find the tuples(rows) you are interested in. @@ -782,7 +782,7 @@ <I>ReleaseBuffer()</I>, in the <I>heap_fetch()</I> case. Or it may be a palloc'ed tuple, that you must <I>pfree()</I> when finished. - <H3><A name="2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function, + <H3 id="item2.2">2.2) Why are table, column, type, function, view names sometimes referenced as <I>Name</I> or <I>NameData,</I> and sometimes as <I>char *?</I></H3> @@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ names(char *), there are many cases where Name and char * are used interchangeably.</P> - <H3><A name="2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and + <H3 id="item2.3">2.3) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and <I>List</I> to make data structures?</H3> <P>We do this because this allows a consistent way to pass data @@ -902,7 +902,7 @@ The output appears in the postmaster log file, or on your screen if you are running a backend directly without a postmaster. - <H3><A name="2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure. + <H3 id="item2.4">2.4) I just added a field to a structure. What else should I do?</H3> <P>The structures passing around from the parser, rewrite, @@ -912,9 +912,9 @@ the files <I>copyfuncs.c</I> and <I>equalfuncs.c</I>. Make sure you add support for your new field to these files. Find any other places the structure might need code for your new field. <I>mkid</I> - is helpful with this (see <A href="#1.9">1.9</A>).</P> + is helpful with this (see <A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>).</P> - <H3><A name="2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and + <H3 id="item2.5">2.5) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and <I>pfree</I>() to allocate memory?</H3> <P><I>palloc()</I> and <I>pfree()</I> are used in place of malloc() @@ -925,7 +925,7 @@ memory can be allocated in. These affect when the allocated memory is freed by the backend.</P> - <H3><A name="2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?</H3> + <H3 id="item2.6">2.6) What is ereport()?</H3> <P><I>ereport()</I> is used to send messages to the front-end, and optionally terminate the current query being processed. The first @@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ descriptors so you don't need to clean these up before the call.</P> - <H3><A name="2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?</H3> + <H3 id="item2.7">2.7) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?</H3> <P>Normally, transactions can not see the rows they modify. This allows <CODE>UPDATE foo SET x = x + 1</CODE> to work correctly.</P> @@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ increments the Command Counter, creating a new part of the transaction.</P> - <H3><A name="2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are + <H3 id="item2.8">2.8) What debugging features are available?</H3> <P>First, try running <I>configure</I> with the --enable-cassert @@ -984,7 +984,7 @@ Use a debugger to attach to the <I>postgres</I> <SMALL>PID</SMALL>. You can set breakpoints in the debugger and issue queries from the other. If you are looking to find the location that is generating - an error or log message, set a breakpoint at <I>errfinish</>. + an error or log message, set a breakpoint at <I>errfinish</I>. <I>psql</I>. If you are debugging <I>postgres</I> startup, you can set PGOPTIONS="-W n", then start <I>psql</I>. This will cause startup |