Re: [PATCH] server_version_num should be GUC_REPORT

Craig Ringer <craig@2ndquadrant.com> writes:
> While looking into client code that relies on parsing server_version
> instead of checking server_version_num, I was surprised to discover that
> server_version_num isn't sent to the client by the server as part of the
> standard set of parameters reported post-auth.

Why should it be?  server_version is what's documented to be sent.

> The attached patch marks server_version_num GUC_REPORT and documents
> that it's reported to the client automatically.

I think this is just a waste of network bandwidth.  No client-side code
could safely depend on its being available for many years yet, therefore
they're going to keep using server_version.
        regards, tom lane