sys.const
This persistent table stores one row with one column and a constant integer value of
1
. Because this table has only one row, you can use it to return exactly
one row for the result of a function or constant expression. You can use any other table in
your database to compute the same result, but the result will be returned once for every row
in that table. By using the sys.const
table, you guarantee that only one
row will be returned.
The Yellowbrick planner is aware of the
sys.const
table so queries may
gain a performance benefit from using sys.const
rather than some other
table.premdb=# \d sys.const
Table "sys.const"
Column | Type | Modifiers
--------+---------+-----------
one | integer | not null
premdb=# select * from sys.const;
one
-----
1
(1 row)
premdb=# select current_date from sys.const;
date
------------
2016-07-13
(1 row)
Tip: This table is similar in functionality to the
dual
table
in Oracle databases.