Re: update returning order by syntax error question

raf <raf@raf.org> writes:
> It's almost as if the parser sees "update" as a possible
> table name (rather than a reserved word) and "tblname"
> as the alias for that table and it's expecting a comma
> or left/right/full etc. when it seess the "t".

No, it's *exactly* as if that.  UPDATE is an unreserved
keyword so it's fully legitimate as a table name.
If you made the syntax be what the grammar is expecting:

regression=# select * from (update t cross join update t2);   
ERROR:  relation "update" does not exist
LINE 1: select * from (update t cross join update t2);
                       ^

            regards, tom lane