Converting Database

[[email protected]]

Sorry if this is to generic but am new to PostgreSQL. I have an existing product that uses another database. I am looking into converting to PostgreSQL. Therefore, I will need to write a conversion program.

The existing db uses the typical integer autoinc fields for the primary key for each table. I would like to do the same in PostgreSQL. Is there a way create my PostgreSQL tables with an integer ID field, import the data and then create my sequences on the ID field where the nextval is some arbitrary integer.

Thanks

[Plash]

You can use SERIAL data type. PostgreSQL automatically creates a sequence for such fields. Use the following statement to set the last value for a sequence:

Code: Select all

SELECT pg_catalog.setval('seq_name', LastVal, false)

[[email protected]]

Thank you very much. Just to make sure that I understand:
I create the column as a serial.

When importing the rows from the other db I just manually specify the values with the id numbers from the old db.

Then when I have all the data imported, I calculate the next id number and set lastval of the sequence with the commend you mentioned.

[Plash]

Yes, you are right.