| PostgreSQL 8.4.22 Documentation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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The catalog pg_attrdef stores column default values. The main information about columns is stored in pg_attribute (see below). Only columns that explicitly specify a default value (when the table is created or the column is added) will have an entry here.
Table 44-6. pg_attrdef Columns
| Name | Type | References | Description | 
|---|---|---|---|
| adrelid | oid | pg_class.oid | The table this column belongs to | 
| adnum | int2 | pg_attribute.attnum | The number of the column | 
| adbin | text | The internal representation of the column default value | |
| adsrc | text | A human-readable representation of the default value | 
The adsrc field is historical,
  and is best not used, because it does not track outside changes
  that might affect the representation of the default value.
  Reverse-compiling the adbin field
  (with pg_get_expr for example) is a
  better way to display the default value.