On Wed, Dec 25, 2019 at 06:09:55PM -0500, stan wrote: > On Wed, Dec 25, 2019 at 02:34:43PM -0800, Adrian Klaver wrote: > > On 12/25/19 12:39 PM, stan wrote: > > > > > > On Wed, Dec 25, 2019 at 11:55:51AM -0800, Adrian Klaver wrote: > > > > On 12/25/19 11:08 AM, stan wrote: > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Dec 25, 2019 at 08:28:45AM -0800, Adrian Klaver wrote: > > > > > > On 12/25/19 7:26 AM, stan wrote: > > > > > > > I am writing a trigger/function to make certain a default item, and its key > > > > > > > exist when an insert is called. EG > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The trigger gets called on insert to T1 If column c1 is NULL in the NEW > > > > > > > structure, I need to check table t2 to get the key associated with the > > > > > > > default for this column. However, if the default is not yet inserted into > > > > > > > t2, I an to go ahead and insert it. > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm with Pavel in not understanding what you want to do. This prevents any > > > > > > clear discussion on what to do below. To help: > > > > > > > > > > > > 1) Schema of t1 and t2. > > > > > > > > > > > > 2) Default for what column? > > > > > > > > > > > > 3) What is the key? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First of all, thanks to both of you for your fast response . > > > > > > > > > > Let me clarify. > > > > > > > > > > I have a table that records will be inserted into. Several of the columns > > > > > in this table must be non NULL, and they are actually keys from other > > > > > tables. Like > > > > > > > > > > Table t1 > > > > > has a column like cost_category_key > > > > > > > > > > So if an INSERT to this table gets called with this column as a NULL, I am > > > > > creating a function that will query for the default category, like > > > > > > > > > > SELECT cost_category_key from t2 where type = 'Misc' > > > > > > > > > > Now suppose that the default category has not yet been inserted in T2. I > > > > > can easily detect this as the SELECT will return a NULL. So what I want to > > > > > do is go ahead and insert this row. Once this is done, the correct default > > > > > row will exist in T2, but I still need the (automatically assigned) key for > > > > > this row to place in the NEW. structure for the function that is called On > > > > > insert to t1, and checks to see if the value supplied for this key is in > > > > > t2. > > > > > > > > > > Make more sense? > > > > > > > > No. It looks like you are trying to do a backwards FK. I would say your life > > > > would be a lot easier if you used FK's as intended e.g. have t2 be the > > > > parent table and INSERT the correct type/key combination there first before > > > > you INSERT into t1, as separate operations. As you script it out above you > > > > have to know what the the type/key is before you INSERT into t1 anyway. > > > > > > No, the key is auto generated using a sequence on the INSERT into t2 > > > > > > Which is where this gets interesting. If I try to select for it and a NULL > > > is returned, then I KNOW I need to insert it. As a consequence of this, > > > the new key is generated. I need to populate (replace the NULL) that comes > > > in the NEW. record with the newly generated key. > > > > > > The original article says that I can get the results of an insert, to use. > > > > You can given the correct conditions. Since you did not include the syntax > > error in the original post it is is difficult to say what the problem is and > > I'm not going to just throwing out guesses. > > Sorry, I was trying to just get across what I am trying to do without > writing in large unrelated sections. > > > > > > > > That's what I have in mind. > > > > > > Other approaches welcome. > > > > Other approaches have been suggested, e.g. use a traditional FK > > relationship. The big unknown in you present system is what: > > > > SELECT cost_category_key from t2 where type = 'Misc' > > > > will return. The implication is that it maybe more then one value(key) in > > that case, which key would you use? > > There is more that that. There is a project number, so the actuall key > represents the combination of project number, and cost category, Thire is a > constraint on T2 that assures that these combinations will be unique. > > When the 1st record for a project, that gets charged to the misc. cost > category is entered, I need to assure that combination gets inserted into > T2 > > > If not and cost_category_key: type is one to one then why have both? > > Just make one unique(or PK) and the parent for the cost_category_key in t1. > Slightly simpler example WITH the syntax error. here is the syntax error psql:src/functions.sql:948: ERROR: syntax error at or near "with" LINE 28: with inserted as ( snippet of function: NEW.project_bom_key = with inserted as ( insert into project_cost_category (category) values('MISC') returning project_cost_category_key ) -- "They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin