The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference: 1656
Logged by: Sergio Lob
Email address: sergio_lob (AT) iwaysoftware (DOT) com
PostgreSQL version: 8.0.1
Operating system: Linux edared30 2.4.21-27.0.4.ELsmp #1 SMP Sat Apr 16
18:43:06 EDT 2005 i686 i686
Description: ResultSetMetaData.getColumnDisplaySize() returns value
-1
Details:

ResultSetMetaData.getColumnDisplaySize() returns value -1 for several
columns of answer set generated by DatabaseMetaData.getTables() method.

Columns 1,4 and 5 of answer set (columns "table_cat", "table_type", and
"remarks" respectively) are described to be of length -1. The other 2
columns of the answer set (columns 2 & 3) are described to be of length 64,
which makes more sense.

Is there a reason why -1 is returned for these columns?
Additionally, I don't understand why the data type of column 1 is described
as "OTHER", as opposed to all the other columns, which are of type "VARCHAR"
(attained through ResultSetMetaData.getColumnType() method).

Thanks, Sergio Lob

---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 9: the planner will ignore your desire to choose an index scan if your
joining column's datatypes do not match