Skip to main content

What is the purpose of the RETURNING clause in PostgreSQL?

Junior PostgreSQL
Quick Answer RETURNING clause returns values from rows affected by INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE - like a SELECT on modified rows. INSERT ... RETURNING id gets the auto-generated ID. UPDATE ... RETURNING new_value gets updated values. DELETE ... RETURNING * shows what was deleted. Eliminates a second SELECT query. More efficient and atomic than insert-then-select.

Answer

RETURNING returns columns from rows affected by INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE, useful for retrieving generated IDs.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team Verified Answer

This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.

Want to bookmark, take notes, or join discussions?

Sign in to access all features and personalize your learning experience.

Sign In Create Account

Source: SugharaIQ

Ready to level up? Start Practice