Re: psql \d* and system objects - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

From Bruce Momjian
Subject Re: psql \d* and system objects
Date
Msg-id 200904010309.n3139iC10168@momjian.us
Whole thread Raw
In response to Re: psql \d* and system objects  (Robert Treat <xzilla@users.sourceforge.net>)
Responses Re: psql \d* and system objects  (Bruce Momjian <bruce@momjian.us>)
List pgsql-hackers
Robert Treat wrote:
> Actually I find the inconsistency to hurt usability, which is typically what 
> you get with inconsistent interfaces. 
> 
> I'm not certain, but I think I would be happier if we did:
>  
> \d*    user space objects
> \d*S  include system objects
> 
> For those that want system only, do 
> \d*S  pg_catalog. 
> ( if you want to argue temp/toast, adjust the search accordingly)
> 
> I think the trick to getting this working is to enforce this with search 
> patterns *and* tab completion as well. Yes, this means that Tom's desire for 

I talked to Robert on IM and found two new reasons to make 'S' assumed
if a pattern is supplied.  The first is the use of tab completion:
test=> \df si<tab><tab>sign            similar_escape  sintest=> \df sin                   List of functions Schema |
Name| Result data type | Argument data types--------+------+------------------+---------------------(0 rows)
 

As you can see tab-tab assumes system tables are visible, but current CVS
does not without 'S'.  The second case is:
test=> \df pg_catalog.sin                   List of functions Schema | Name | Result data type | Argument data
types--------+------+------------------+---------------------(0rows)
 

Only \dfS works in this case.

I think we should move forward and assume 'S' for \d* patterns;  it is
inconsistent, but usability requires it.

Objections?

--  Bruce Momjian  <bruce@momjian.us>        http://momjian.us EnterpriseDB
http://enterprisedb.com
 + If your life is a hard drive, Christ can be your backup. +


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