Re: Transaction Handling in pl/pgsql

"Craig Bryden" <postgresql(at)bryden(dot)co(dot)za> writes:

> I am trying to get a better understanding of how transactions work in
> pl/pgsql functions. I found the following text in the help:
> "It is important not to confuse the use of BEGIN/END for grouping statements
> in PL/pgSQL with the database commands for transaction control. PL/pgSQL's
> BEGIN/END are only for grouping; they do not start or end a transaction"
> but I am still a bit confused.
>
> Suppose I have a function that will be called from an application. Will all
> the statements in the function be rolled back if the last one generates an
> exception? or do I need to add code to a function to make that happen?

Read up on how in-function exception handling and savepoints interact
for pl/pgsql in 8.0:

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/static/plpgsql-control-structures.html#PLPGSQL-ERROR-TRAPPING

For previous versions (7.X), the whole thing will be rolled back if
anything in the function throws an exception.

-Doug