Function alias for Postgres default function

Question

I always use NVL() for assigning a default value when the result is null.

However in PostgreSql there is only COALESCE().

Can I give the COALESCE function an alias so it executes with NVL?

Or can I copy the function declaration somehow?

What's wrong with using coalesce() it's part of the SQL standard and also supported by Oracle. — user330315
– user330315, Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 8:27
@a_horse_with_no_name May sound trite but saving a few letters in the case of applying this function to dozens of columns can matter. — WestCoastProjects
– WestCoastProjects, Commented Oct 10, 2019 at 22:39

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:19:14Z

7

You can use this wrapper:

create or replace function nvl (anyelement, anyelement)
returns anyelement language sql as $$
    select coalesce($1, $2)
$$;

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answered Oct 28, 2016 at 8:23

klin

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2 Comments

Well, your function does not work, mine is OK.