Postgres calling a void function

Question

I have a void plsql function:

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION do_something(p_id BIGINT) 
RETURNS void
AS $$
BEGIN
   insert ....
END;
$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql SECURITY DEFINER;

I want to call this function from another plsql function, but inside a query like:

SELECT  do_something(m.id) 
FROM    MyTable m
WHERE   m.IsActive;

When I run the sproc i get:

ERROR: query has no destination for result data HINT: If you want to discard the results of a SELECT, use PERFORM instead.

Is it possible to call a void function as part of a select statement?

Solution

HINT: If you want to discard the results of a SELECT, use PERFORM instead.

PERFORM  do_something(m.id) 
FROM    MyTable m
WHERE   m.IsActive;

PERFORM is the PL/PgSQL alternative for SELECT for when you want to throw the results away. It cannot be used outside PL/PgSQL. For more information, see the manual.

Comments

[pozs]

Maybe worth mentioning, PERFORM is only valid in pl/pgsql context.

[Craig Ringer]

Yeah, fair. I usually write much more in depth answers, but this is such a "Did you actually read the error message / search for the error" one...

[ozczecho]

:-) I Did read the error and I did try "PERFORM"...but I must have fluffed it up...because before it didnt work...and now it does...grrr ...and sorry for wasting everyones time.