diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ddl.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ddl.sgml
index 498654876f..c4aaf906c7 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/ddl.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/ddl.sgml
@@ -3970,6 +3970,11 @@ ALTER TABLE measurement ATTACH PARTITION measurement_y2008m02
+
+ The ATTACH PARTITION command requires taking a
+ SHARE UPDATE EXCLUSIVE lock on the partitioned table.
+
+
Before running the ATTACH PARTITION command, it is
recommended to create a CHECK constraint on the table to
@@ -3978,10 +3983,21 @@ ALTER TABLE measurement ATTACH PARTITION measurement_y2008m02
which is otherwise needed to validate the implicit
partition constraint. Without the CHECK constraint,
the table will be scanned to validate the partition constraint while
- holding both an ACCESS EXCLUSIVE lock on that partition
- and a SHARE UPDATE EXCLUSIVE lock on the parent table.
- It is recommended to drop the now-redundant CHECK
- constraint after ATTACH PARTITION is finished.
+ holding an ACCESS EXCLUSIVE lock on that partition
+ and all of its child partitions, if any. It is recommended to drop the
+ now-redundant CHECK constraint after the
+ ATTACH PARTITION is complete.
+
+
+
+ Similarly, if the partitioned table has a DEFAULT
+ partition, it is recommended to create a CHECK
+ constraint which excludes the to-be-attached partition's constraint. If
+ this is not done then the DEFAULT partition will be
+ scanned to verify that it contains no records which should be located in
+ the partition being attached. This operation will be performed whilst
+ holding an ACCESS EXCLUSIVE lock on the
+ DEFAULT partition and all of its sub-partitions, if any.
diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
index c5e5e84e06..281d26fe27 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
@@ -965,8 +965,17 @@ WITH ( MODULUS numeric_literal, REM
Attaching a partition acquires a
SHARE UPDATE EXCLUSIVE lock on the parent table,
- in addition to ACCESS EXCLUSIVE locks on the table
- to be attached and on the default partition (if any).
+ in addition to the ACCESS EXCLUSIVE locks on the table
+ being attached and the default partition (if any).
+
+
+
+ Further locks must also be held on all sub-partitions if the table being
+ attached is itself a partitioned table. Likewise if the default
+ partition is itself a partitioned table. The locking of the
+ sub-partitions can be avoided by adding a CHECK
+ constraint as described in
+ .