Thread: CASE w/out ELSE hides typmod (was: How define a view that use a case operator for geometry field)

On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 10:33:45PM +0200, aperi2007 wrote:

> Seem that postgis try to define it an else condition assigning it a
> unknown "geometry" ?

It's PostgreSQL, not PostGIS.

The same happens with any type, can be reproduced with something like this:

=# CREATE VIEW test1 AS SELECT CASE WHEN random() < 0.5 THEN 1::numeric(10, 0) END;

=# \d test1      View "test.test1"Column |  Type   | Modifiers
--------+---------+-----------case   | numeric |

=# CREATE VIEW test2 AS SELECT CASE WHEN random() < 0.5 THEN 1::numeric(10, 0) ELSE 0::numeric(10, 0) END;

=# \d test2        View "test.test2"Column |     Type      | Modifiers
--------+---------------+-----------case   | numeric(10,0) |


Maybe someone on pgsql-hackers can tell us more about this.

--strk;
 ()   Free GIS & Flash consultant/developer /\   http://strk.keybit.net/services.html

Sandro Santilli <strk@keybit.net> writes:
> The same happens with any type, can be reproduced with something like this:

> =# CREATE VIEW test1 AS SELECT
>   CASE WHEN random() < 0.5 THEN 1::numeric(10, 0)
>   END;

> =# \d test1
>        View "test.test1"
>  Column |  Type   | Modifiers
> --------+---------+-----------
>  case   | numeric |

> =# CREATE VIEW test2 AS SELECT
>   CASE WHEN random() < 0.5 THEN 1::numeric(10, 0)
>   ELSE 0::numeric(10, 0)
>   END;

> =# \d test2
>          View "test.test2"
>  Column |     Type      | Modifiers
> --------+---------------+-----------
>  case   | numeric(10,0) |

> Maybe someone on pgsql-hackers can tell us more about this.

IIRC, the result of a CASE is only considered to have a defined typmod
if all arms of the CASE ... including ELSE ... have the identical
typmod.
        regards, tom lane