Re: DOCS - Add missing EXCEPT parameter description to ALTER PUBLICATION

On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM shveta malik <shveta(dot)malik(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
>
> On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 10:52 AM shveta malik <shveta(dot)malik(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM Nisha Moond <nisha(dot)moond412(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Hackers,
> > >
> > > As Peter noted in [1], the ALTER PUBLICATION documentation is missing
> > > a parameter description for the EXCEPT clause. Ref: Commit fd36606
> > > introduced the EXCEPT clause.
> > >
> > > Attached is a simple patch to document the clause and its behavior.
> > >
> > > [1] https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/CAHut%2BPs3sghX4qv1jehqMgvZG7DmUoAFqgjmVc5xUy%2Bv5kHN3w%40mail.gmail.com
> > >
> >
> > The patch LGTM.
> >

Thanks for the review.

> > I have one more point to discuss. The EXCEPT implementation also
> > introduced a new ALTER-PUB variation where users can convert an ALL
> > TABLE to ALL SEQ and vice versa. We have not explained that anywhere.
> > I am not sure if a one-line explanation can be added. If not, I think
> > we can at-least add an example at the end for the same. Thoughts?
> >
> > The existing examples are:
> >
> > ~~
> > Replace the table list in the publication's EXCEPT clause:
> > ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL TABLES EXCEPT (TABLE users,
> > departments);
> >
> > Reset the publication to be a FOR ALL TABLES publication with no
> > excluded tables:
> > ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL TABLES;
> > ~~
> >
> > We can add one more:
> > Convert an ALL TABLES publication to ALL SEQUENCES one:
> > ALTER PUBLICATION mypublication SET ALL SEQUENCES;
> >
>
> Okay, I see we already have this line in doc in initial explanation:
>
> The SET ALL TABLES clause can transform an empty publication, or one
> defined for ALL SEQUENCES (or both ALL TABLES and ALL SEQUENCES), into
> a publication defined for ALL TABLES. Likewise, SET ALL SEQUENCES can
> convert an empty publication, or one defined for ALL TABLES (or both
> ALL TABLES and ALL SEQUENCES), into a publication defined for ALL
> SEQUENCES.
> ~~
>
> So please ignore my comment about a one-line explanation. An example
> may be added though (if others also think so).
>

I have added the suggested example in v2. I think it can remain in the
same patch, but let me know if you'd prefer it as a separate patch.

--
Thanks,
Nisha