I am converting an application to postgresql. On feature I have is functions that return custom displays of a table row. For instance the company display function might display just the company name, or company name + other information. It may also call other displays, for instance, address or phone numbers which in turn have display functions. What is returned depends on context and other parameters. The return value is typically displayed the ui in views of the table. For instance a listing of purchase orders could list PO number, and use the company display function to list the company information. Depending on the display it could show just the company name or complete details of the company (in the context of the PO).
There is also a generic function that will display per-defined default fields so that a custom function is not required for each table.
What is the best way to reproduce this and take advantage of postgresql caching? These functions can be called a lot.
I am not understanding what you are after, especially this part:
"The return value is typically displayed the ui in views of the table"
Are you saying the functions are called to fill in fields in a UI form or to populate a database side view?
