to compute and return value(s) based on each row inserted, updated, or
deleted. Any expression using the source or target table's columns, or
the <link linkend="merge-action"><function>merge_action()</function></link>
- function can be computed. When an <command>INSERT</command> or
+ function can be computed. By default, when an <command>INSERT</command> or
<command>UPDATE</command> action is performed, the new values of the target
- table's columns are used. When a <command>DELETE</command> is performed,
- the old values of the target table's columns are used. The syntax of the
+ table's columns are used, and when a <command>DELETE</command> is performed,
+ the old values of the target table's columns are used, but it is also
+ possible to explicitly request old and new values. The syntax of the
<literal>RETURNING</literal> list is identical to that of the output list
of <command>SELECT</command>.
</para>
to compute and return value(s) based on each row actually updated.
Any expression using the table's columns, and/or columns of other
tables mentioned in <literal>FROM</literal>, can be computed.
- The new (post-update) values of the table's columns are used.
+ By default, the new (post-update) values of the table's columns are used,
+ but it is also possible to request the old (pre-update) values.
The syntax of the <literal>RETURNING</literal> list is identical to that of the
output list of <command>SELECT</command>.
</para>