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Wiki / psql Commands

\ef

This command fetches and edits the definition of the named function or procedure, in the form of a CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION or CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE command. Editing is done in the same way as for \edit . If you quit the editor without saving, the statement is discarded. If you save and exit the editor, the updated command is executed immediately if you added a semicolon to it. Otherwise it is redisplayed; type semicolon or \g to send it, or \r to cancel.

Reading PG 18·Select a recorded version

Client
psql 18.7
Case-sensitive spelling
\ef
command
\ef
manual path
app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-META-COMMAND-EF
modifiers
Unknown
signature
\ef [ function_description [ line_number ] ]
spellings
\ef

Definition PG 18

\ef [ function_description [ line_number ] ]

This command fetches and edits the definition of the named function or procedure, in the form of a CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION or CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE command. Editing is done in the same way as for \edit. If you quit the editor without saving, the statement is discarded. If you save and exit the editor, the updated command is executed immediately if you added a semicolon to it. Otherwise it is redisplayed; type semicolon or \g to send it, or \r to cancel.

The target function can be specified by name alone, or by name and arguments, for example foo(integer, text). The argument types must be given if there is more than one function of the same name.

If no function is specified, a blank CREATE FUNCTION template is presented for editing.

If a line number is specified, psql will position the cursor on the specified line of the function body. (Note that the function body typically does not begin on the first line of the file.)

Unlike most other meta-commands, the entire remainder of the line is always taken to be the argument(s) of \ef, and neither variable interpolation nor backquote expansion are performed in the arguments.

Tip

See Environment, below, for how to configure and customize your editor.

Exact case-sensitive spellings

  • \ef

Spellings in this manual definition

CommandDocumented suffix modifiers
\efNone listed in this signature

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Complete source facts

documentation revision

{"inputs":[{"file":"app-psql.html","kind":"same-version-reviewed-manual","locale":"en","sha256":"af50448485df02bdef2b72b8347192ba029c7082b8d0392ecb17db44ad533aaf","version":"18.7"},{"file":"app-psql.html","kind":"same-version-reviewed-manual","locale":"zh-Hans","sha256":"cb475c53a16d9e06358f5e6c9c5649645db92568cfd319f230c62c9f57ae090b","version":"18.7"}],"release":"18.7","runtime_remeasured":false,"source_revision":"pgdoc:b9f0e7232f60f380d642ac9b99226606c254b552"}

Source references

Full definition and evidence JSON

Definition sources

center · PostgreSQL 18 · 1b2d62b4845aa46374f2cb680f95d3392322cc8128646992ae4e18d0e7084915

Text language: en · 1b2d62b4845aa46374f2cb680f95d3392322cc8128646992ae4e18d0e7084915