Re: problem converting strings to timestamps with time zone

Edward Ross <efrossuhl(at)gmail(dot)com> writes:
> Here is a sandbox example of what I mean.

> CREATE TABLE test_0
> (
> string_value varchar(2047),
> timestamp_value timestamp with time zone
> );

> insert into test_0
> (string_value)
> values
> ('2010-03-12 17:06:21-0800'),
> ('2009-08-14 16:47:40+0500'),
> ('2010-03-22 22:45:59-0400');

> As expected, select * from test_0; , produces the following:

> string_value timestamp_value
> 2010-03-12 17:06:21-0800 <null>
> 2009-08-14 16:47:40+0500 <null>
> 2010-03-22 22:45:59-0400 <null>

> I would like to parse the strings into their equivalent timestamps
> and put them in the timestamp_value column.

> My attempt, so far, to update the table:

> update value
> set
> timestamp_value =
> to_timestamp(string_value, 'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS-XXXX');

Forget to_timestamp; just cast the string to timestamptz. The
regular timestamp input converter will handle that format fine.

regards, tom lane