Re: PostgreSQL 8.2 (from CVS devel) first impressions

On Sun, Nov 05, 2006 at 09:11:07AM +0000, Simon Riggs wrote:
> On Sun, 2006-11-05 at 01:15 -0500, mark(at)mark(dot)mielke(dot)cc wrote:
> > The new PG_MAGIC_MODULE requirement threw me for a loop. I expect it
> > will catch others off guard as well.
> Did you find the documentation adequate? Could you locate what you
> needed to know quickly and accurately? Do you think the change was
> adequately explained?

The documentation was good - once I checked developer.postgresql.org
for the latest copy.

> If that hit you then we're gonna get a few more people trip the same
> way. Do you have any suggestions as to how to avoid that experience for
> others?

I believe the release notes are inadequate. I've read them three times
before and it never stood out for me.

Currently it is referenced under:

E.1.3.16. Source Code Changes

- Add PG_MODULE_MAGIC header blocks to all shared object files
(Martijn van Ousterhout)

The magic block prevents version mismatches between loadable object
files and servers.

I believe I read this all three times as a "internal PostgreSQL change
for developers only". The PG_MODULE_MAGIC has a wider impact that what
is listed above.

I suspect this should be listed under "Migration to 8.2" or "Server
Changes" as "loadable modules are now required to include PG_MODULE_MAGIC
to protect the server from accidentally loading an incompatible module -
all loadable module authors must implement the change described in the
documentation to allow their loadable modules to work properly in 8.2".

Cheers,
mark

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