Re: problem converting strings to timestamps with time zone

Edward Ross <efrossuhl@gmail.com> writes:
> Here is a sandbox example of what I mean.

> CREATE TABLE test_0
> (
>     string_value varchar(2047),
>     timestamp_value timestamp with time zone
> );

> insert into test_0
>        (string_value)
>     values
>        ('2010-03-12 17:06:21-0800'),
>        ('2009-08-14 16:47:40+0500'),
>        ('2010-03-22 22:45:59-0400');

> As expected, select * from test_0; , produces the following:

> string_value                timestamp_value
> 2010-03-12 17:06:21-0800    <null>
> 2009-08-14 16:47:40+0500    <null>
> 2010-03-22 22:45:59-0400    <null>

> I would like to parse the strings into their equivalent timestamps
> and put them in the timestamp_value column.

> My attempt, so far, to update the table:

> update value
>     set
>     timestamp_value =
>     to_timestamp(string_value, 'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS-XXXX');

Forget to_timestamp; just cast the string to timestamptz.  The
regular timestamp input converter will handle that format fine.
        regards, tom lane