Re: PGSQL - FAQ 4.1 - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

> OK, can someone comment on this email I received.  I am confused myself.
> FAQ item 4.1 says:
> > 4.1) Why is system confused about commas, decimal points, and date formats.
> Does locale only control dates?  If so, why the mention of commas?  This
> item was there before I started maintaining the FAQ.

I think there is confusion on these things, but the FAQ content does not
seem to reduce it much. afaik locale settings affect *nothing* in
date/time, but SET DATESTYLE does. Is it the case that LC_NUMERIC or
other settings would affect numeric *input*?
                     - Thomas

> Carsten Grewe wrote:
> > Hi Bruce!
> >
> > Below you'll find a question I asked to the pgsql-general list. I
> > missunderstood FAQ 4.1. Maybe it's just me - maybe the answer to the FAQ is
> > irritating - it's for you to judge.
> >
> > Kind regards and merry Christmas
> > Carsten
> >
> > ----------  forwarded message  ----------
> >
> > Subject: Re: [GENERAL] localization
> > Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001 13:06:20 +0100
> > From: Carsten Grewe <DerReisende@schatzis.org>
> > To: Karel Zak <zakkr@zf.jcu.cz>
> >
> > Karel Zak, Freitag, 21. Dezember 2001 10:09:
> > > On Thu, Dec 20, 2001 at 10:24:31PM +0100, Carsten Grewe wrote:
> > > > I am a bit lost here. I have tried to convince pgsql to show numbers with
> > > > a decimal-comma (german style) instead of the decimal-point.
> > [snip]
> > >
> > >  The backend ignore LC_NUMERIC. If you want output numbers in locale
> > >  depend format use to_char() (for example to_char(1234.5, '9G999D9').
> > >
> > >         Karel
> >
> > Thanks! I know about the Format Functions, but FAQ 4.1 made me believe that
> > there is a way to influence the backend.
> >
> > VVVVVVVVV
> > 4.1) Why is system confused about commas, decimal points, and date formats.
> >
> > Check your locale configuration. PostgreSQL uses the locale setting of the
> > user that ran the postmaster process. There are postgres and psql SET
> > commands to control the date format. Set those accordingly for your operating
> > environment.
> > VVVVVVVVV
> >
> > Kind regards and merry Christmas
> > Carsten
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------
> >
> 
> --
>   Bruce Momjian                        |  http://candle.pha.pa.us
>   pgman@candle.pha.pa.us               |  (610) 853-3000
>   +  If your life is a hard drive,     |  830 Blythe Avenue
>   +  Christ can be your backup.        |  Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026
> 
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