Hi.
i have table like this:
create table my_data ( cond_1 int8,cond_2 varchar(),cond_3 .... cond_n whatrver ,data text)
This table represents a simple tree structure with known max level (n) . This table is filled with data, but branches have not a same depth.
Now I need to select from table
select data from my_data where cond_1=x AND cond_2='blah' And cond_3= ..... AND cond_n=whatewer
But, this tree have not a same depth in all his branches. So I need to select Exact match, and, if the exact match is not possible (ie if there is not line that fit WHERE condition ),
to select with WHERE cond_1=x AND cond_2='blah' And cond_3= ..... AND cond_(n-1)=whatewer and so on until the 'data' is not empty or top of the tree reached (ie if not match, find data from upper node of the tree).
I know, that similar effects can be reached with COALESCE,
select coalesce ((select data from my_data where cond_1=x AND cond_2='blah' And cond_3= ..... AND cond_n=whatewer),(select data from my_data where cond_1=x AND cond_2='blah' And cond_3= ..... AND cond_(n-1)=whatewer) ,...........,(select data from my_data where cond_1=x ))
but i think it is not ideal, because it needs to perform a N subselects, what can eat a lot of machine time...
is there some other way to do exact or less specific match ?
Thank you. please execuse my bad english
---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 8: explain analyze is your friend