In PostgreSQL the array_ndims() function returns the number of dimensions of an array. We pass the array to the function, and it returns an integer of the number of dimensions in the array.
This function is not to be confused with the array_dims() function, which returns a more detailed text representation of the dimensions in the array.
If you’re getting an error that starts with “sample size must be between…” when using the array_sample() function in PostgreSQL, it’s probably because your second argument is either a negative value, or it’s larger than the number of elements in the array.
The second argument must be no less than zero, and it can’t be any larger than the number of elements in the array.
To fix this error, be sure that your second argument is greater than zero and less than or equal to the number of elements in the array at the first argument.
Continue readingIn PostgreSQL we can use the array_dims() function to return information about the dimensions in an array. The function accepts the array in question, and it returns a text representation of the array’s dimensions.
This function is not to be confused with the array_ndims() function, which simply returns the number of dimensions in an array.
In PostgreSQL we can use the random_normal() function to generate a normally-distributed random number.
A normally-distributed random number is a random variable with a Gaussian distribution. This is said to be normally distributed, and is referred to as a normal deviate.
Continue readingIn PostgreSQL we have the ability to create variable-length multidimensional arrays and define columns as array types.
Here’s a quick overview of PostgreSQL arrays.
Continue readingIf you’re getting a PostgreSQL error that reads “function generate_subscripts(integer, integer) does not exist“, it’s probably because your first argument is not an array. This specific error message implies that the first argument is an integer, but we’d get a similar error when passing a numeric argument.
The first argument for this function must be an array.
To fix this error, be sure that your first argument to generate_subscripts() is an array.
If you’re getting an error that reads “invalid input syntax for type integer…” when using the array_sample() function in PostgreSQL, it’s probably because your second argument is not an integer.
The second argument for this function must be an integer.
To fix this error, be sure that your second argument to array_sample() is an integer.
PostgreSQL has an aggregate function called array_agg() that allows us to generate an array from the result set of a query.
The function accepts an argument which is used to generate the array. This argument is typically the column that we want to use in order to populate the array.
Continue readingWhen we use psql to write SQL queries in PostgreSQL, we’ll usually see the results presented as a table, with columns displayed vertically and rows running horizontally. But it is possible to change this so that the columns are displayed horizontally and the rows run vertically.
This can be useful for when the number of columns causes the results to be wider than our psql display, and may cause the rows to wrap to the next line.
Here are five ways we can change the display to vertical output, otherwise known as expanded display.
Continue readingIn PostgreSQL we can create arrays with the ARRAY constructor. An array constructor is an expression that builds an array value using values for its member elements.