Re: generic options for explain

Robert Haas wrote:
>>> EXPLAIN ('hash_detail', 'on') query...
>>>       
>
> Oops, I should have written EXPLAIN (hash_detail 'on') query... can't
> follow my own syntax.
>
>   
>> I am sorry - this is really strange syntax . Who will use this syntax?
>> For some parser is little bit better function call, than parametrized
>> statement. Some dificulties with options should be fixed with named
>> param (we are speaking about 8.5).
>>
>> select explain_xml("select ...", true as hash_detail, ...)
>>     
>
> See to me THAT is a really strange syntax, so I guess we need some more votes.
>
>
>   

Both of these seem both odd an unnecessary. Why not just have a setting 
called, say, explain_format which governs the output?
   set explain_format = 'xml, verbose';   explain select * from foo;

No new function or syntax would be required.

cheers

andrew