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To: Dennis <dennis.verbeek@victorem.com>
cc: pgsql-sql@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: Uniform UPDATE queries 
In-reply-to: <4F8E936A.9050303@victorem.com> 
References: <4F8E936A.9050303@victorem.com>
Comments: In-reply-to Dennis <dennis.verbeek@victorem.com>
	message dated "Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:11:54 +0200"
Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:24:27 -0400
Message-ID: <4420.1334766267@sss.pgh.pa.us>
From: Tom Lane <tgl@sss.pgh.pa.us>
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Dennis <dennis.verbeek@victorem.com> writes:
> When a query is written to update a table, the usual process is to list all the columns that need 
> updating. This could imply the creation of many possible queries for many columns. In an effort to 
> keep the UPDATE queries more uniform, less number of unique queries, a keyword similar to DEFAULT, 
> let's say CURRENT, is required to indicate that the current value must not change.

No it isn't.  Just write the name of the column, eg

	update mytable set x = x, y = <new value>, z = z where ...

There's no reason to invent nonstandard syntax for this.

			regards, tom lane