Re: NOTIFY/LISTEN in Postgresql - Mailing list pgsql-general

From P. Broennimann
Subject Re: NOTIFY/LISTEN in Postgresql
Date
Msg-id CACm4aU-AbeAtbged1e+A2grWYa029Kh_L4Nc59-njwBKSdpo5Q@mail.gmail.com
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In response to Re: NOTIFY/LISTEN in Postgresql  (Craig Ringer <ringerc@ringerc.id.au>)
Responses Re: NOTIFY/LISTEN in Postgresql  (Chris Travers <chris.travers@gmail.com>)
Re: NOTIFY/LISTEN in Postgresql  (Merlin Moncure <mmoncure@gmail.com>)
List pgsql-general
Thx for the feedback I will take a look.

Here some details. Basically what I'd like to achieve:

  Internet <-> AppliA <-> PostgreSQL <-> AppliB

1) AppliA receives a request from the internet and calls a Pg/SQL function.
2) The Pg/SQL function informs AppliB that there is some work waiting (NOTIFY).
3) AppliB does the work and posts the result back to PostgreSQL.

... and now here's the problem -> The initial Pg/SQL function should give back the result computed by AppliB -> It has to wait somehow and get informed when the work from AppliB is done.

Thx & cheers,
Peter



2012/10/15 Craig Ringer <ringerc@ringerc.id.au>
On 10/15/2012 08:54 PM, P. Broennimann wrote:
Hi there

1) Can a Pg/SQL function "listen" for a notification sent from an
external instance?

No, it's the other way around. A client can `LISTEN` for a `NOTIFY` sent by another client, either directly or via a PL/PgSQL function.

What you want is a NOTIFY callback or NOTIFY trigger, something that invokes a function without any client action when a NOTIFY comes in. No such feature exists.

I would like my stored function to pause/wait and continue its execution
once an external event (NOTIFY event) occurs.

Use an advisory lock, they're ideal for that job:

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/explicit-locking.html#ADVISORY-LOCKS

2) In Pg/SQL I can implement a loop (until something happens) to
pause/wait. This costs CPU time -> Is there another solution?

Depends on what you're waiting for. Details?

Again, an advisory lock may be a candidate.

--
Craig Ringer

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