Thread: BUG #8132: Not Null column should set default value when inserting or setting null

The following bug has been logged on the website:

Bug reference:      8132
Logged by:          Hajo Lemcke
Email address:      Hajo@Lemcke.com
PostgreSQL version: 9.2.4
Operating system:   Win-7
Description:        =


I would like to have the default value replace a given null value if the
column is specified with not null and default.

The SQL specification only requires to set the default value when the column
is omitted on insert or update.

I think this is a flaw in the specification because it requires developers
to create multiple statements for inserts and updates for all combinations
of default not null columns.

Hajo@Lemcke.com writes:
> I would like to have the default value replace a given null value if the
> column is specified with not null and default.

> The SQL specification only requires to set the default value when the column
> is omitted on insert or update.

> I think this is a flaw in the specification because it requires developers
> to create multiple statements for inserts and updates for all combinations
> of default not null columns.

This may be a flaw in the specification, but you'd need to talk to the
SQL standards committee to get it changed, not us.  We're quite unlikely
to change away from standard-mandated behavior.

If you really need such behavior to support broken application logic,
you can implement it with a BEFORE INSERT/UPDATE trigger.

            regards, tom lane

Hajo@Lemcke.com wrote on 02.05.2013 10:18:
> I would like to have the default value replace a given null value if the
> column is specified with not null and default.
>
> The SQL specification only requires to set the default value when the column
> is omitted on insert or update.
>
> I think this is a flaw in the specification because it requires developers
> to create multiple statements for inserts and updates for all combinations
> of default not null columns.

You can use DEFAULT instead of NULL, no need to have different statements.