safeupdate is a simple extension to PostgreSQL that raises an error if UPDATE and DELETE are executed without specifying conditions. This extension was initially designed to protect data from accidental obliteration of data that is writable by PostgREST.

Build from source using

gmake
gmake install

Activate per-session by running

load 'safeupdate';

Make this mandatory for all databases and connections by adding the following to postgresql.conf:

shared_preload_libraries=safeupdate

Or enable for a specific database using

ALTER DATABASE mydb SET session_preload_libraries = 'safeupdate';

Once loaded this extension can be administratively disabled by setting

SET safeupdate.enabled=0;

Try to update records without WHERE clause

UPDATE FROM rack SET fan_speed=70;
-- ERROR:  UPDATE requires a WHERE clause

Select results from a CTE that attempts to modify data:

WITH updates AS (
  UPDATE rack SET fan_speed=70
  RETURNING *
)
SELECT * FROM updates;
-- ERROR:  UPDATE requires a WHERE clause

Set a column value for a range of records

UPDATE rack SET fan_speed=90 WHERE fan_speed=70;

Set a column value for all the records in a table

UPDATE rack SET fan_speed=90 WHERE 1=1;

Notification of new releases are provided by an Atom feed, and release history is covered in the NEWS file.