Re: [GENERAL] PL/pgSQL Function Problem

the inquirer <listquestions@yahoo.com> writes:
> I am trying to create a function that creates a user
> and adds a row to a table.  It produces no warnings or
> errors when I create the function but when I attempt
> to execute it I get a syntax error.  I do not
> understand why this is happening.

> CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION create_author (
> VARCHAR(32), VARCHAR(32), VARCHAR(32) )
> RETURNS INTEGER AS '
>     DECLARE
>         name_        ALIAS FOR $1;
>         username_    ALIAS FOR $2;
>         password_    ALIAS FOR $3;
>         authorid_    INTEGER;
>     BEGIN
>         CREATE USER username_ WITH ENCRYPTED PASSWORD
> password_ IN GROUP authors;

Utility statements (which is to say anything except SELECT/INSERT/
UPDATE/DELETE) generally don't cope with parameters.  The above won't
work because it's trying to substitute parameters for username_ and
password_ in the CREATE USER utility statement.  You could make it work
by constructing the CREATE USER command as a string and then EXECUTE'ing
it.

(I agree this ain't ideal, but it's where we're at...)

            regards, tom lane