Re: select count(*);

> > select *;
> > ----------
> > ERROR:  SELECT * with no tables specified is not valid
> >
> > select count(*);
> > ----------------
> > 1
> >
> > Is this a must? and why 1?
>
> Hi,
>
> regarding the "why 1" part:
>
> I think that if we accept that
>
> chris=> select 'foo';
>  ?column?
> ----------
>  foo
> (1 row)
>
> returns 1 row, then naturally
>
> chris=> select count('foo');
>  count
> -------
>      1
> (1 row)
>
> should give a count of 1...
>
> The * might be a bit tricky, though,
> since 'select *;' doesn't work.

That's the point. * has no meaning without FROM

Marc