---
name: "PQexecf"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libpqtypes-dev"
version: "1.5.1-9"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/PQexecf"
---

# PQexecf(3)

Prepares parameters and executes a command.

## NAME

PQexecf - Prepares parameters and executes a command.

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<libpqtypes.h\>**\

**PGresult \*PQexecf(const PGconn \****conn***, const char \****cmd***, ...);**\
 **PGresult \*PQexecvf(const PGconn \****conn***, const char \****cmd***, va\_list** *ap***);**\
 **int PQsendf(const PGconn \****conn***, const char \****cmd***, ...);**\
 **int PQsendvf(const PGconn \****conn***, const char \****cmd***, va\_list** *ap***);**

## DESCRIPTION

*The PQexecf() function executes a command that uses libpqtypes* *type specifiers instead of $1, $2, etc... syntax.  The idea* *is to combine PQputvf() and PQparamExec() into a single call.* *The variable argument list must match the type specs listed within the* *cmd. The type specifiers should be placed where one would normally place* *$1, $2, etc...*

*The PQexecvf() function is identical to PQexecf() except* *it takes a va\_list.*

*The PQsendf() and PQsendvf() functions are identical to* *PQexecf() and PQexecvf() except they are asynchronous versions,* *meaning an additional call, PQgetResult, must be issued to get the PGresult* *object.  For more information, see the PostgreSQL Documentation: specifically* *the "Asynchronous Command Processing" section under* *"Client Interfaces \| libpq - C library".*

*A prepared type spec "@name" can be used with these functions, granted that* *PQspecPrepare() was called with a non-zero value for the is\_stmt* *argument.  These functions needs an actual SQL statement to execute.*

## RETURN VALUE

*PQexecf and PQexecvf return NULL on error and a valid PGresult on success.* *PQsendf and PQsendvf return zero on error and a non-zero value on success.* *On error, use [PQgeterror(3)](/PQgeterror/3.md) to obtain an error message.*

## EXAMPLES

### Using PQexecf

*The example uses PQexecf function to execute a query.*

```

```

**/\* The PQexecf call is shorthand for:**\
  **\***\
  **\*   PGparam \*param = PQparamCreate(conn);**\
  **\*   PQputf(param, "%int4 %int4", 1, 1);**\
  **\*   res = PQparamExec(conn, param, "SELECT $1 + $2", 1);**\
  **\*   PQparamClear(param);**\
  **\***\
  **\* As you may notice, PQexecf makes life much simpler.**\
  **\*/** **PGresult \*res = PQexecf(conn, "SELECT %int4 + %int4", 1, 1);**

**if(!res)**\
 	**fprintf(stderr, "PQexecf failed: %s", PQgeterror());** **else**\
 	**PQclear(res);**

**/\* A bit more common, this puts an int4 and a text into a generated**\
  **\* PGparam and then executes 'myfunc($1, $2)'**\
  **\*/** **res = PQexecf(conn, "SELECT \* FROM myfunc(%int4, %text)", 2, "abc");**

**/\* Prepared type spec example.  To use with execf, the final "is\_stmt"**\
  **\* argument must be set to a non-zero value!**\
  **\*/** **PQspecPrepare(conn, "account\_insert", "INSERT INTO account VALUES "**\
 	**"(%int8, %text, %int4)", 1);**

**PGint8 acc\_id = 78236;** **PGtext acc\_name = "ABC Coders, LLC.";** **PGint4 acc\_biz = ACC\_BIZ\_TECHNOLOGY;**

**PQexecf(conn, "@account\_insert", acc\_id, acc\_name, acc\_biz);**

## AUTHOR

*A contribution of eSilo, LLC. for the PostgreSQL Database Management System.* *Written by Andrew Chernow and Merlin Moncure.*

## REPORTING BUGS

*Report bugs to \<libpqtypes@esilo.com\>.*

## COPYRIGHT

*Copyright (c) 2011 eSilo, LLC. All rights reserved.*\
 *This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.* *There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or  FITNESS* *FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.*

## SEE ALSO

*[PQgeterror(3)](/PQgeterror/3.md), [PQputvf(3)](/PQputvf/3.md), [PQparamExec(3)](/PQparamExec/3.md)*