Re: C-Language Functions: VarChar and Text arguments - Mailing list pgsql-novice

Quoting Brian Modra <brian@zwartberg.com>:

> On 06/04/2010, Carel Combrink <s25291930@tuks.co.za> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have problems using 'varchar' and 'text' arguments for C functions.
>> Perhaps I am doing something wrong. I get garbage when I want to use
>> the arguments passed to the function. See the example:
>>
>> My function as defined in my C program:
>> /*===========================================*/
>> PG_FUNCTION_INFO_V1(Test_Function);
>>
>> Datum Test_Function(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS) /* varChar(10) varChar Text*/
>> {
>>      VarChar* arg0_varChar10 = PG_GETARG_VARCHAR_P(0);
>>      VarChar* arg1_varChar = PG_GETARG_VARCHAR_P(1);
>>      text* arg2_textp = PG_GETARG_VARCHAR_P(2);
>>
>>      ereport( INFO, ( errcode( ERRCODE_SUCCESSFUL_COMPLETION ),
>> errmsg("Inputs :\n\targ0: %s\n\targ1: %s\n\targ2:
>> %s\n",VARDATA(arg0_varChar10), VARDATA(arg1_varChar),
>> VARDATA(arg2_textp))));
>>
>>      PG_RETURN_INT32(0);
>> }
>> /*=============================================*/
>>
>> I run the following in PostgreSQL 8.4 to create the function:
>> ------------------------------------------------
>> CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION Test_Function(varchar(10), varchar, text)
>> RETURNS integer
>>    AS '$libdir/myDir/myLib', 'Test_Function'
>>    LANGUAGE C
>>    VOLATILE
>>    STRICT
>>    SECURITY DEFINER;
>> ------------------------------------------------
>>
>> The output I get when I call the function:
>> --------------------------------------------
>> My_database=# SELECT Test_Function('arg0', 'arg1', 'arg2');
>>
>> is:
>>
>> INFO:  Inputs :
>>          arg0: arg�V"�
>>          arg1: arg1��O"
>>          arg2: arg2��O"
>>
>>   test_function
>> ---------------
>>               0
>> (1 row)
>> --------------------------------------------
>>
>> What is the 'garbage' I see at the end of the output?
>> Am I calling the correct functions in my C code to retrieve the
>> arguments and then the correct ones to display them?
>
> You need to use a text* structure. See this page, it explains it all:
> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.2/static/xfunc-c.html
>

One thing I noted: in my function I used "text* arg2_textp =
PG_GETARG_VARCHAR_P(2);" I changed this to
"PG_GETARG_TEXT_P(2)" but it made no difference.
If you look closely to the function I am using the text* structure.
If I copy and paste the function "copytext" into my library and
compile and create the funciton (see
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/xfunc-c.html)
an add the line
"ereport( INFO, ( errcode( ERRCODE_SUCCESSFUL_COMPLETION ),
errmsg("Text: %s", VARDATA(new_t))));"
and call the function from postgreSQL I get the following output:
SELECT copytext('test_string');
INFO:  Text: test_stringES/postgres-8.4.mo
   copytext
-------------
  test_string
(1 row)

(NOTE: after the first call to the function it all seems fine, but
when I rerun the same command (press up and enter) I get the above
output)

I can see that the string that gets returned is correct but when I try
to access the data part of the argument in the function using the
VARDATA(new_t) command I get garbage. Am I using the correct command
to access the data portion of the text* structure. According to the
documentation at the link the VARDATA should return the data portions
of the text* structure but it is giving me garbage.

I get the same output when using "new_t->vl_dat" in stead of "VARDATA(new_t)".

>>
>> In my original function I want to send the name of an entity to the
>> database and then add the name to a table but this is a problem if the
>> name is garbled.
>>
>> Using: PostgreSQL 8.4
>> OS: Linux Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala
>>
>> --
>> Carel Combrink
>> s25291930@tuks.co.za
>>
>> This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer
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>> details. / Hierdie boodskap en aanhangsels is aan 'n vrywaringsklousule
>> onderhewig. Volledige besonderhede is by
>> www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ beskikbaar.
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
> --
> Brian Modra   Land line: +27 23 5411 462
> Mobile: +27 79 69 77 082
> 5 Jan Louw Str, Prince Albert, 6930
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> http://www.zwartberg.com/
>



--
Carel Combrink
s25291930@tuks.co.za

This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer
to www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ for full
details. / Hierdie boodskap en aanhangsels is aan 'n vrywaringsklousule
onderhewig. Volledige besonderhede is by
www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ beskikbaar.