"UPDATE table_name SET w = $1, x = $2, z = $4 WHERE y = $3 RETURNING *",
does not do the same as
"UPDATE table_name SET w = $1, x = $2, y = $3, z = $4 RETURNING *",
It's 2 am and my mind blanked out the WHERE, and just wanted the numbers neatly in order of 1234.
idiot.
FML.
Raw dog is the fastest way to finish a task.
It's a trade-off
There's no way you're endorsing the way OP handled their data right?
No, but people are sometimes forced to do these things because of pressure from management and/or lack of infrastructure to do it in any other way.
Definitely don't endorse it but I have done it. Think of a "Everything is down" situation that can be fixed in 1 minute with SQL.
Got it. I'm with you.