Re: DOCS - Add missing EXCEPT parameter description to ALTER PUBLICATION - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM Nisha Moond <nisha.moond412@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Hackers,
>
> As Peter noted in [1], the ALTER PUBLICATION documentation is missing
> a parameter description for the EXCEPT clause. Ref: Commit fd36606
> introduced the EXCEPT clause.
>
> Attached is a simple patch to document the clause and its behavior.
>
> [1] https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/CAHut%2BPs3sghX4qv1jehqMgvZG7DmUoAFqgjmVc5xUy%2Bv5kHN3w%40mail.gmail.com
>

The patch LGTM.

I have one more point to discuss. The EXCEPT implementation also
introduced a new ALTER-PUB variation where users can convert an ALL
TABLE to ALL SEQ and vice versa. We have not explained that anywhere.
I am not sure if a one-line explanation can be added. If not, I think
we can at-least add an example at the end for the same. Thoughts?

The existing examples are:

~~
Replace the table list in the publication's EXCEPT clause:
ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL TABLES EXCEPT (TABLE users,
departments);

Reset the publication to be a FOR ALL TABLES publication with no
excluded tables:
ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL TABLES;
~~

We can add one more:
Convert an ALL TABLES publication to ALL SEQUENCES one:
ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL SEQUENCES;

thanks
Shveta