Re: Bulk Insert / Update / Delete

Hi Philip,

Pg is more ansi compliant than most (GoodThing (TM)).  You can use the 'when'
conditional but not to do what you need.  If I understand you correclty you
should be able to acheive the same result using two seperate queries and the
(NOT) EXISTS or (NOT) IN clause.  Failing that have a look at the fine docs
on pl/pgsql and other postgresql procedural languages which allow you to use
loops and conditional statements like 'if'.

Rgds,

J

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 12:21 pm, Philip Boonzaaier wrote:
> I want to be able to generate SQL statements that will go through a list of
> data, effectively row by row, enquire on the database if this exists in the
> selected table- If it exists, then the colums must be UPDATED, if not, they
> must be INSERTED.
>
> Logically then, I would like to SELECT * FROM <TABLE>
> WHERE ....<Values entered here>, and then IF FOUND
> UPDATE <TABLE> SET .... <Values entered here> ELSE
> INSERT INTO <TABLE> VALUES <Values entered here>
> END IF;
>
> The IF statement gets rejected by the parser. So it would appear that
> PostgreSQL does not support an IF in this type of query, or maybe not at
> all.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can achieve this ?
>
>
> This message is privileged and confidential and intended for the addressee
> only. If you are not the intended recipient you may not disclose, copy or
> in any way use or publish the content hereof, which is subject to
> copyright.If you have received this in error, please destroy the original
> message and contact us at postmaster@cks.co.za. Any views expressed in this
> message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender
> specifically states them to be the view of Computerkit Retail Systems, its
> subsidiaries or associates. Please note that the recipient must scan this
> e-mail and attachments for  viruses. We accept no liability of whatever
> nature for any loss, liability,damage or expense resulting directly or
> indirectly from this transmission of this message and/or attachments.
>
> ---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
> TIP 5: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
>
>                http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs/FAQ.html