Re: functional call named notation clashes with SQL feature

Peter Eisentraut <peter_e@gmx.net> writes:
> On tor, 2010-05-27 at 12:59 -0400, Tom Lane wrote:
>> I'm afraid FOR doesn't work either; it'll create a conflict with the
>> spec-defined SUBSTRING(x FOR y) syntax.

> How about
> select myfunc(a := 7, b := 6);
> ?

Hey, that's a thought.  We couldn't have used that notation before
because we didn't have := as a separate token, but since I hacked that
in for plpgsql's benefit, I think it might be an easy fix.  It'd be
nice that it puts the argument name first like the spec syntax, too.

Question #1: is the SQL committee likely to standardize that out
from under us, too?

Question #2: will ecpg have a problem with this?  Or psql for that
matter (can you have a psql variable named '=')?
        regards, tom lane