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From: Ayush Vatsa <ayushvatsa1810@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:20:10 +0530
Message-ID: <CACX+KaPBaSW+0PyMC7dmY6W9W8mPSbWpkJRhAOQOC9Qb0TjCQA@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Seeking Clarification on Function Definitions in PostgreSQL Extensions
To: pgsql-general@lists.postgresql.org
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Hi PostgreSQL community,
Recently I am exploring extensions in postgres and got a little confused
regarding the function definition present in SQL file. For example consider
below three functions:

CREATE FUNCTION fun1(integer)
RETURNS TABLE(
        col1 integer,
        col2 text
)
AS 'MODULE_PATHNAME', 'fun1'
LANGUAGE C;

CREATE FUNCTION fun2(
    IN  input integer,
    OUT col1 integer,
    OUT col2 text
)
RETURNS SETOF record
AS 'MODULE_PATHNAME', 'fun2'
LANGUAGE C;

CREATE FUNCTION fun3(
    IN  input integer,
    OUT col1 integer,
    OUT col2 text
)
AS 'MODULE_PATHNAME', 'fun3'
LANGUAGE C;

1/ I wanted to know what's the difference between the above three
definitions.
As per my understanding, "fun1" and "fun2" look the same, taking one
integer and returning two columns with multiple rows.
Whereas "fun3" is used when we are returning only one row, but my doubt for
"fun3" is that, Can the above definition (used for fun1 and fun2) cover
both single and multiple row scenarios.

2/ How does someone decide which type of definition is to be used?

Regards
Ayush Vatsa

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<div dir=3D"ltr">Hi PostgreSQL community,<br>Recently I am exploring extens=
ions in postgres and got a little confused regarding the function definitio=
n=C2=A0present in SQL file. For example consider below three functions:<br>=
<br><div>CREATE FUNCTION fun1(integer)<br>RETURNS TABLE(<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 col1 integer,<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 col2 text<br>)<b=
r>AS &#39;MODULE_PATHNAME&#39;, &#39;fun1&#39;<br>LANGUAGE C;<br><br>CREATE=
 FUNCTION fun2(<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 IN =C2=A0input integer,<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 O=
UT col1 integer,<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 OUT col2 text<br>)<br>RETURNS SETOF recor=
d<br>AS &#39;MODULE_PATHNAME&#39;, &#39;fun2&#39;<br>LANGUAGE C;<br><br>CRE=
ATE FUNCTION fun3(<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 IN =C2=A0input integer,<br>=C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 OUT col1 integer,<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 OUT col2 text<br>)<br>AS &#39;MODULE=
_PATHNAME&#39;, &#39;fun3&#39;<br>LANGUAGE C;<br><br>1/ I wanted to know wh=
at&#39;s the difference between the above three definitions. <br>As per my =
understanding, &quot;fun1&quot; and &quot;fun2&quot; look the same, taking =
one integer and returning two columns with multiple rows. <br>Whereas=C2=A0=
&quot;fun3&quot; is used when we are returning only one row, but my doubt f=
or &quot;fun3&quot; is that, Can the above definition=C2=A0(used for fun1 a=
nd fun2) cover both single and multiple row scenarios.<br><br>2/ How does s=
omeone decide which type of definition is to be used?<br><br>Regards<br>Ayu=
sh Vatsa</div></div>

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