"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.
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.