Re: Typed tables

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 5:15 AM, Peter Eisentraut <peter_e(at)gmx(dot)net> wrote:
> On Sun, 2009-11-08 at 21:17 +0000, Simon Riggs wrote:
>> Not sure I see why this is good. Why is issuing CREATE TYPE so much
>> easier than using CREATE TABLE? Is it worth the extra syntax and code to
>> support it? Can we do anything additional as a result of this?
>
> These are tools to improve database design in particular situations.
> Nobody really *needs* this, but then again, you don't really need CREATE
> TYPE for composite types in the first place.  Using CREATE TABLE instead
> of CREATE TYPE creates a bunch of extra things you don't need.  For
> example, files are created, VACUUM and ANALYZE have to keep checking the
> table, backup tools think they have to back up the table, and you have
> to check that no one actually inserts anything into the table.

you also get the ability to alter the type though, which at present
outweighs the disadvantages in most cases (IMO).

I happen to be a fan of your proposal...mainly because it highlights
the highly under-appreciated composite type handling of the database.
I especially am excited about getting 'ALTER TYPE' in the future :-).
Do you think that we will ever able to apply constraints to composite
type that will be enforced on a cast?

merlin