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authorTom Lane <tgl@sss.pgh.pa.us>2020-04-10 13:12:58 -0400
committerTom Lane <tgl@sss.pgh.pa.us>2020-04-10 13:12:58 -0400
commitaa4416dcd924a49e766baae9c73e884249d687d0 (patch)
tree8a756cee099be55d1f3818e1c8aa11958541f257
parentb75aa49bb8cbc96fc741791bc021a83a697a1307 (diff)
downloadpostgresql-aa4416dcd924a49e766baae9c73e884249d687d0.tar.gz
postgresql-aa4416dcd924a49e766baae9c73e884249d687d0.zip
Doc: clarify locking requirements for ALTER TABLE ADD FOREIGN KEY.
The docs explained that a SHARE ROW EXCLUSIVE lock is needed on the referenced table, but failed to say the same about the table being altered. Since the page says that ACCESS EXCLUSIVE lock is taken unless otherwise stated, this left readers with the wrong conclusion. Discussion: https://postgr.es/m/834603375.3470346.1586482852542@mail.yahoo.com
-rw-r--r--doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml21
1 files changed, 13 insertions, 8 deletions
diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
index ba81f060b1c..261d526f0b0 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/ref/alter_table.sgml
@@ -141,9 +141,9 @@ WITH ( MODULUS <replaceable class="parameter">numeric_literal</replaceable>, REM
<para>
<command>ALTER TABLE</command> changes the definition of an existing table.
There are several subforms described below. Note that the lock level required
- may differ for each subform. An <literal>ACCESS EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock is held
- unless explicitly noted. When multiple subcommands are listed, the lock
- held will be the strictest one required from any subcommand.
+ may differ for each subform. An <literal>ACCESS EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock is
+ acquired unless explicitly noted. When multiple subcommands are given, the
+ lock acquired will be the strictest one required by any subcommand.
<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
@@ -355,8 +355,8 @@ WITH ( MODULUS <replaceable class="parameter">numeric_literal</replaceable>, REM
<term><literal>ADD <replaceable class="parameter">table_constraint</replaceable> [ NOT VALID ]</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
- This form adds a new constraint to a table using the same syntax as
- <xref linkend="sql-createtable"/>, plus the option <literal>NOT
+ This form adds a new constraint to a table using the same constraint
+ syntax as <xref linkend="sql-createtable"/>, plus the option <literal>NOT
VALID</literal>, which is currently only allowed for foreign key
and CHECK constraints.
</para>
@@ -379,9 +379,14 @@ WITH ( MODULUS <replaceable class="parameter">numeric_literal</replaceable>, REM
</para>
<para>
- Addition of a foreign key constraint requires a
- <literal>SHARE ROW EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock on the referenced table,
- in addition to the lock on the table receiving the constraint.
+ Although most forms of <literal>ADD
+ <replaceable class="parameter">table_constraint</replaceable></literal>
+ require an <literal>ACCESS EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock, <literal>ADD
+ FOREIGN KEY</literal> requires only a <literal>SHARE ROW
+ EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock. Note that <literal>ADD FOREIGN KEY</literal>
+ also acquires a <literal>SHARE ROW EXCLUSIVE</literal> lock on the
+ referenced table, in addition to the lock on the table on which the
+ constraint is declared.
</para>
<para>