Declaring a `RECORD[]` variable gets `variable "..." has pseudo-type record[]` error

Question

I tried to declare the local variable value with RECORD[] type in a DO statement as shown below:

DO $$
DECLARE
  value RECORD[];
BEGIN
END
$$;

But, I got the error below:

ERROR: variable "value" has pseudo-type record[]

I referred to these questions and answers but I could not solve the error:

• postgresql cannot create table with pseudo-type record

• Postgresql: How to work around pseudo-type record errors

Actually, I could declare value with RECORD or INT[] type without error as shown below:

DO $$
DECLARE
  value RECORD;
BEGIN
END
$$;

DO $$
DECLARE
  value INT[];
BEGIN
END
$$;

So, how can I declare value with RECORD[] type?

Answer 1

Like the error message says, record is a pseudo-type. Note how pseudo-types are absent from this list in the manual:

Arrays of any built-in or user-defined base type, enum type, composite type, range type, or domain can be created.

Some pseudo-types don't make sense as element type of an array to begin with. And record[] is just not implemented to be declared in PL/pgSQL. That might change in the future, but don't hold your breath. I don't think it's very useful. And neither does Tom Lane.

I have never had the need for something like record[]. Maybe you can use an array based on a registered row type. But, typically, there is a better way. You would have do disclose what you are trying to achieve.