Re: Re: proposal - psql: possibility to specify sort for describe commands, when size is printed

2017-09-22 21:12 GMT+02:00 Peter Eisentraut <
peter(dot)eisentraut(at)2ndquadrant(dot)com>:

> On 9/22/17 09:16, Pavel Stehule wrote:
> > Example: somebody set SORT_COLUMNS to schema_name value. This is
> > nonsense for \l command
> >
> > Now, I am thinking so more correct and practical design is based on
> > special mode, activated by variable
> >
> > PREFER_SIZE_SORT .. (off, asc, desc)
> >
> > This has sense for wide group of commands that can show size. And when
> > size is not visible, then this option is not active.
>
> Maybe this shouldn't be a variable at all. It's not like you'll set
> this as a global preference. You probably want it for one command only.
> So a per-command option might make more sense.
>

Sure, I cannot to know, what users will do. But, when I need to see a size
of objects, then I prefer the sort by size desc every time. If I need to
find some object, then I can to use a searching in pager. So in my case,
this settings will be in psqlrc. In GoodData we used years own
customization - the order by size was hardcoded and nobody reported me any
issue.

Alexander proposed some per command option, but current syntax of psql
commands don't allows some simple parametrization. If it can be user
friendly, then it should be short. From implementation perspective, it
should be simply parsed. It should be intuitive too - too much symbols
together is not good idea.

Maybe some prefix design - but it is not design for common people (although
these people don't use psql usually)

'\sort size \dt ?

\dt:sort_by_size
\dt+:sort_by_size ?

I don't see any good design in this direction

Regards

Pavel

>
> --
> Peter Eisentraut http://www.2ndQuadrant.com/
> PostgreSQL Development, 24x7 Support, Remote DBA, Training & Services
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