Re: Trusted plperl

On Fri, Apr 20, 2001 at 03:42:24PM -0400, msteele@inet-interactif.com wrote:
>
> Hey folks, I sent out this question a while back without
> ever getting an answer, so here I go again :)
>
> Has anyone managed to compile a trusted plperl interpreter
> into postgres? The Opcode stuff which blocks the use of
> external modules, and 99% of perl's built-in operators
> really bugs me :(

Mark really has a point there.

Why not simply allow access to full perl functionality to postgres
superusers (as with C functions)?

A recent example on pgsql-general has shown that a 15-line pl/pgsql
script can be replaced by a one-line perl expression.

If perl could reach the same level of integration with Pg that mod_perl
has with Apache: full access to the SPI, no restrictions on what can be
done, it would really help us make a quantum leap in productivity.

Programming in pl/pgsql is nice and all, maybe mostly for oracle
refugees, but for most uses it's ridiculously limited and its syntax
reminds of BASIC. It's as far as a modern programming (or scripting)
language as can be. Again creating pl/pgsql was wonderful and
indispensable for oracle migration, but maybe it's the time to give Pg
its swiss-army chainsaw with PERL!

When one considers the power of mod_perl programming, the prospect of
that functionality inside Pg is awe-inspiring.

As a first, immediate step, please free pgperl from its sanbox.

--
    ARICIE: Phèdre en vain s'honorait des soupirs de Thésée :
            Pour moi, je suis plus fière, et fuis la gloire; aisée
            D'arracher un hommage à mille autres offert,
            Et d'entrer dans un coeur de toutes parts ouvert.
                                          (Phèdre, J-B Racine, acte 2, scène 1)