Re: Indexes on expressions that include user-defined functions are not reindexed when the function definition is changed

Dmytry Strikha <dm(dot)strikha(at)gmail(dot)com> writes:
> If the index on expression is defined so, that the indexed value
> depends on a user-defined function, it doesn't get reindexed when the
> function's definition changes, therefore completely wrong values can
> be displayed when the query is executed using that index.

If you declare the function immutable, as you must to use it in an
index, then redefining the function in a way that changes its results
means *you* broke the contract. I don't think it's unreasonable of
us to insist that it's on your head to issue any necessary reindexing.
Certainly, neither of the plausible alternatives are acceptable:

* Reindex any time the function is changed at all. This is putting
an undue burden on people who did follow the contract.

* Detecting whether the redefinition changed the results.
See halting problem.

regards, tom lane