Re: Style of file error messages

[Tom Lane <tgl(at)sss(dot)pgh(dot)pa(dot)us>]

Peter Eisentraut <peter_e(at)gmx(dot)net> writes:
> Just to get an opinion, which is better:
> could not open whatever file "%s": %m
> or just:
> could not open file "%s": %m

> It seems to me that by the time you get to a file error message of this 
> level, the higher-level purpose of the file is pretty irrelevant.  

I like the more verbose variant myself, and would argue that indeed our
message style guidelines mandate it:

	45.3.9. Type of the object

	When citing the name of an object, state what kind of object it is.

	Rationale: Otherwise no one will know what "foo.bar.baz" refers to.

A seasoned developer might only need the file name to guess what kind of
file it is, but other people could probably use the help.

			regards, tom lane