Re: Foreign key constraint for array-field? - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

From Simon Riggs
Subject Re: Foreign key constraint for array-field?
Date
Msg-id 1221988688.4445.100.camel@ebony.2ndQuadrant
Whole thread Raw
In response to Foreign key constraint for array-field?  ("Dmitry Koterov" <dmitry@koterov.ru>)
Responses Re: Foreign key constraint for array-field?
Re: Foreign key constraint for array-field?
List pgsql-hackers
On Sun, 2008-09-21 at 04:38 +0400, Dmitry Koterov wrote:

> Is it possible to create a foreign key constraint for ALL elements of
> an array field?
> 
> CREATE TABLE a(id INTEGER);
> CREATE TABLE b(id INTEGER, a_ids INTEGER[]);
> 
> Field b.a_ids contains a list of ID's of "a" table. I want to ensure
> that each element in b.a_ids exists in a in any time. Is it possible
> to create an automatic foreign key?

No, its not possible. Need a trigger.

I think we should support it though. If we extend the relational model
with arrays then it would be sensible if we support this aspect as
well. 

Implementation would be fairly straightforward. ri_triggers currently
assumes a non-array value is being checked, but that could be changed to
IN(array). Multi-column keys with arrays sound confusing though.

-- Simon Riggs           www.2ndQuadrant.comPostgreSQL Training, Services and Support



pgsql-hackers by date:

Previous
From: "Marko Kreen"
Date:
Subject: Re: [patch] fix dblink security hole
Next
From: Zoltan Boszormenyi
Date:
Subject: Toasted table not deleted when no out of line columns left