SQL and PL/pgSQL Programming Style Guide

SQL and general

• File names in lowercase_with_underscores, encoding UTF-8
• Use pgFormatter - online http://sqlformat.darold.net/
• Indent with 4 spaces (don't use tags)
• Keywords, datatypes and functions should be all-lowercase (opposite to Joe Celko’s!)
• Else follow this guideline https://www.sqlstyle.guide (compatible with Joe Celko’s SQL Programming Style book)

== PL/pgSQL (inspired partially by PEP 8):

• Naming conventions:
  • Function names in lowercase_with_underscores (handle ST_-functions insensitive).
  • Function parameter names in lowercase_with_underscores
  • Local variables and functions start with _underscore
  • All-uppercase for CONSTANT_VARIABLES
  • Max line-length 80 characters (especially in comments)
• Whitespace and newlines:
  • Two blank lines before top-level functions
  • Use blank lines sparingly
  • Spaces around = for assignment and in mathematical operators
  • No spaces around = for default parameter values
  • Multiple statements on the same line are discouraged
• Comments:
  • Use inline comments sparingly & avoid obvious comments
  • Write in whole sentence and in plain and easy-to-follow English
  • Add space after line comment (- a comment); no space for commented-out code (-raise notice)
  • Keep comments up to date - incorrect comments are worse than no comments
  • All "public" functions should have docstrings (""")
  • In docstrings, list each argument on a separate line
  • Docstrings should have a blank line after first line and before the final """