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	<B98511E0-E97F-4B76-82F0-CE92FC2ACA07@seespotcode.net>
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Cc: Paul Lambert <paul.lambert@autoledgers.com.au>,
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From: Erik Jones <erik@myemma.com>
Subject: Re: Using escape strings in an insert statement.
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 10:49:26 -0500
To: Michael Glaesemann <grzm@seespotcode.net>


On Jul 2, 2007, at 6:11 PM, Michael Glaesemann wrote:

>
> On Jul 2, 2007, at 17:45 , Paul Lambert wrote:
>
>> tester=3D# insert into testing (test_text) values ('abcE'\\'123');
>
> This should be
> INSERT INTO testing (test_text) values (E'abc\123');

No, that will leave him with the string 'abc23' beinginserted, he =20
wants the backslash to be included in the string, that's why he had =20
two, so it should be:

INSERT INTO testing (test_text) values (E'abc\\123');

>
>> The help itself (ch 4.1.2.1) tells me to use double backslash =20
>> "Thus, to include a backslash character, write two backslashes (\=20
>> \). "
>
> Note that the String Constants section (4.1.2.1) says put the E =20
> "before the opening single quote".
>
> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.2/interactive/sql-syntax-=20
> lexical.html#SQL-SYNTAX-CONSTANTS
>
>> An escape string constant is specified by writing the letter E =20
>> (upper or lower case) just before the opening single quote, e.g. =20
>> E'foo'.
>
> Also be sure to read the Caution section.
>
> Using \ as an escape character is the old non-standard PostgreSQL =20
> escape syntax that the WARNING (above) is, uh, warning you about. =20
> With standard_conforming_strings on (i.e., follow the SQL spec), =20
> the backslash is just a backslash character.
>
>> Which one is the correct syntax and how can I make it not return =20
>> anything other than a successful insert?
>
> Depends on the setting of standard_conforming_strings.

With standard_conforming_strings turned on, it would just need to be:

INSERT INTO test (test_text) values ('abc\123');

>
> Michael Glaesemann
> grzm seespotcode net
>
>
>
> ---------------------------(end of =20
> broadcast)---------------------------
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>
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Erik Jones

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