Show record information in pg_get_wal_block_info.

Expand the output parameters in pg_walinspect's pg_get_wal_block_info
function to return additional information that was previously only
available from pg_walinspect's pg_get_wal_records_info function.  Some
of the details are attributed to individual block references, rather
than aggregated into whole-record values, since the function returns one
row per block reference per WAL record (unlike pg_get_wal_records_info,
which always returns one row per WAL record).

This structure is much easier to work with when writing queries that
track how individual blocks changed over time, or when attributing costs
to individual blocks (not WAL records) is useful.

This is the second time that pg_get_wal_block_info has been enhanced in
recent weeks.  Commit 9ecb134a expanded on the original version of the
function added in commit c31cf1c0 (where it first appeared under the
name pg_get_wal_fpi_info).  There still hasn't been a stable release
since commit c31cf1c0, so no bump in the pg_walinspect extension
version.

Author: Bharath Rupireddy <bharath.rupireddyforpostgres@gmail.com>
Author: Peter Geoghegan <pg@bowt.ie>
Reviewed-By: Peter Geoghegan <pg@bowt.ie>
Reviewed-By: Kyotaro HORIGUCHI <horikyota.ntt@gmail.com>
Discussion: https://postgr.es/m/CALj2ACVRK5=Z+2ZVsjgTTSkfEnQzCuwny7iigpG7g1btk4Ws2A@mail.gmail.com

contrib/pg_walinspect/expected/pg_walinspect.out

@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ UPDATE sample_tbl SET col1 = col1 + 1 WHERE col1 = 1;
 SELECT pg_current_wal_lsn() AS wal_lsn4 \gset
 -- Check if we get block data from WAL record.
 SELECT COUNT(*) >= 1 AS ok FROM pg_get_wal_block_info(:'wal_lsn3', :'wal_lsn4')
-  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND blockdata IS NOT NULL;
+  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND block_data IS NOT NULL;
  ok 
 ----
  t
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ UPDATE sample_tbl SET col1 = col1 + 1 WHERE col1 = 2;
 SELECT pg_current_wal_lsn() AS wal_lsn6 \gset
 -- Check if we get FPI from WAL record.
 SELECT COUNT(*) >= 1 AS ok FROM pg_get_wal_block_info(:'wal_lsn5', :'wal_lsn6')
-  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND fpi IS NOT NULL;
+  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND block_fpi_data IS NOT NULL;
  ok 
 ----
  t

contrib/pg_walinspect/pg_walinspect--1.0--1.1.sql

@@ -12,17 +12,26 @@ DROP FUNCTION pg_get_wal_stats_till_end_of_wal(pg_lsn, boolean);
 --
 CREATE FUNCTION pg_get_wal_block_info(IN start_lsn pg_lsn,
 	IN end_lsn pg_lsn,
-	OUT lsn pg_lsn,
+	OUT start_lsn pg_lsn,
-	OUT blockid int2,
+	OUT end_lsn pg_lsn,
+	OUT prev_lsn pg_lsn,
+	OUT block_id int2,
 	OUT reltablespace oid,
 	OUT reldatabase oid,
 	OUT relfilenode oid,
+	OUT relforknumber int2,
 	OUT relblocknumber int8,
-	OUT forkname text,
+	OUT xid xid,
-	OUT blockdata bytea,
+	OUT resource_manager text,
-	OUT fpi bytea,
+	OUT record_type text,
-	OUT fpilen int4,
+	OUT record_length int4,
-	OUT fpiinfo text[]
+	OUT main_data_length int4,
+	OUT block_data_length int4,
+	OUT block_fpi_length int4,
+	OUT block_fpi_info text[],
+	OUT description text,
+	OUT block_data bytea,
+	OUT block_fpi_data bytea
 )
 RETURNS SETOF record
 AS 'MODULE_PATHNAME', 'pg_get_wal_block_info'

contrib/pg_walinspect/pg_walinspect.c

@@ -176,13 +176,18 @@ ReadNextXLogRecord(XLogReaderState *xlogreader)
 }
 
 /*
- * Get a single WAL record info.
+ * Output values that make up a row describing caller's WAL record.
+ *
+ * This function leaks memory.  Caller may need to use its own custom memory
+ * context.
+ *
+ * Keep this in sync with GetWALBlockInfo.
  */
 static void
 GetWALRecordInfo(XLogReaderState *record, Datum *values,
 				 bool *nulls, uint32 ncols)
 {
-	const char *id;
+	const char *record_type;
 	RmgrData	desc;
 	uint32		fpi_len = 0;
 	StringInfoData rec_desc;
@@ -190,10 +195,10 @@ GetWALRecordInfo(XLogReaderState *record, Datum *values,
 	int			i = 0;
 
 	desc = GetRmgr(XLogRecGetRmid(record));
-	id = desc.rm_identify(XLogRecGetInfo(record));
+	record_type = desc.rm_identify(XLogRecGetInfo(record));
 
-	if (id == NULL)
+	if (record_type == NULL)
-		id = psprintf("UNKNOWN (%x)", XLogRecGetInfo(record) & ~XLR_INFO_MASK);
+		record_type = psprintf("UNKNOWN (%x)", XLogRecGetInfo(record) & ~XLR_INFO_MASK);
 
 	initStringInfo(&rec_desc);
 	desc.rm_desc(&rec_desc, record);
@@ -209,7 +214,7 @@ GetWALRecordInfo(XLogReaderState *record, Datum *values,
 	values[i++] = LSNGetDatum(XLogRecGetPrev(record));
 	values[i++] = TransactionIdGetDatum(XLogRecGetXid(record));
 	values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(desc.rm_name);
-	values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(id);
+	values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(record_type);
 	values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(XLogRecGetTotalLen(record));
 	values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(XLogRecGetDataLen(record));
 	values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(fpi_len);
@@ -229,24 +234,48 @@ GetWALRecordInfo(XLogReaderState *record, Datum *values,
 
 
 /*
- * Store a set of block information from a single record (FPI and block
+ * Output one or more rows in rsinfo tuple store, each describing a single
- * information).
+ * block reference from caller's WAL record. (Should only be called with
+ * records that have block references.)
+ *
+ * This function leaks memory.  Caller may need to use its own custom memory
+ * context.
+ *
+ * Keep this in sync with GetWALRecordInfo.
  */
 static void
 GetWALBlockInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogReaderState *record)
 {
-#define PG_GET_WAL_BLOCK_INFO_COLS 11
+#define PG_GET_WAL_BLOCK_INFO_COLS 20
 	int			block_id;
 	ReturnSetInfo *rsinfo = (ReturnSetInfo *) fcinfo->resultinfo;
+	RmgrData	desc;
+	const char	*record_type;
+	StringInfoData	rec_desc;
+
+	Assert(XLogRecHasAnyBlockRefs(record));
+
+	desc = GetRmgr(XLogRecGetRmid(record));
+	record_type = desc.rm_identify(XLogRecGetInfo(record));
+
+	if (record_type == NULL)
+		record_type = psprintf("UNKNOWN (%x)",
+							   XLogRecGetInfo(record) & ~XLR_INFO_MASK);
+
+	initStringInfo(&rec_desc);
+	desc.rm_desc(&rec_desc, record);
 
 	for (block_id = 0; block_id <= XLogRecMaxBlockId(record); block_id++)
 	{
 		DecodedBkpBlock *blk;
 		BlockNumber blkno;
 		RelFileLocator rnode;
-		ForkNumber	fork;
+		ForkNumber	forknum;
 		Datum		values[PG_GET_WAL_BLOCK_INFO_COLS] = {0};
 		bool		nulls[PG_GET_WAL_BLOCK_INFO_COLS] = {0};
+		uint32		block_data_len = 0,
+					block_fpi_len = 0;
+		ArrayType  *block_fpi_info = NULL;
 		int			i = 0;
 
 		if (!XLogRecHasBlockRef(record, block_id))
@@ -255,75 +284,26 @@ GetWALBlockInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogReaderState *record)
 		blk = XLogRecGetBlock(record, block_id);
 
 		(void) XLogRecGetBlockTagExtended(record, block_id,
-										  &rnode, &fork, &blkno, NULL);
+										  &rnode, &forknum, &blkno, NULL);
 
-		values[i++] = LSNGetDatum(record->ReadRecPtr);
+		/* Save block_data_len */
-		values[i++] = Int16GetDatum(block_id);
-		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.spcOid);
-		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.dbOid);
-		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.relNumber);
-		values[i++] = Int64GetDatum((int64) blkno);
-
-		if (fork >= 0 && fork <= MAX_FORKNUM)
-			values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(forkNames[fork]);
-		else
-			ereport(ERROR,
-					(errcode(ERRCODE_INTERNAL_ERROR),
-					 errmsg_internal("invalid fork number: %u", fork)));
-
-		/* Block data */
 		if (blk->has_data)
-		{
+			block_data_len = blk->data_len;
-			bytea	   *raw_data;
-
-			/* Initialize bytea buffer to copy the data to */
-			raw_data = (bytea *) palloc(blk->data_len + VARHDRSZ);
-			SET_VARSIZE(raw_data, blk->data_len + VARHDRSZ);
-
-			/* Copy the data */
-			memcpy(VARDATA(raw_data), blk->data, blk->data_len);
-			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(raw_data);
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			/* No data, so set this field to NULL */
-			nulls[i++] = true;
-		}
 
 		if (blk->has_image)
 		{
-			PGAlignedBlock buf;
+			/* Block reference has an FPI, so prepare relevant output */
-			Page		page;
-			bytea	   *raw_page;
 			int			bitcnt;
 			int			cnt = 0;
 			Datum	   *flags;
-			ArrayType  *a;
 
-			page = (Page) buf.data;
+			/* Save block_fpi_len */
+			block_fpi_len = blk->bimg_len;
 
-			/* Full page image exists, so let's save it */
+			/* Construct and save block_fpi_info */
-			if (!RestoreBlockImage(record, block_id, page))
-				ereport(ERROR,
-						(errcode(ERRCODE_INTERNAL_ERROR),
-						 errmsg_internal("%s", record->errormsg_buf)));
-
-			/* Initialize bytea buffer to copy the FPI to */
-			raw_page = (bytea *) palloc(BLCKSZ + VARHDRSZ);
-			SET_VARSIZE(raw_page, BLCKSZ + VARHDRSZ);
-
-			/* Take a verbatim copy of the FPI */
-			memcpy(VARDATA(raw_page), page, BLCKSZ);
-
-			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(raw_page);
-			values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(blk->bimg_len);
-
-			/* FPI flags */
 			bitcnt = pg_popcount((const char *) &blk->bimg_info,
 								 sizeof(uint8));
-			/* Build set of raw flags */
 			flags = (Datum *) palloc0(sizeof(Datum) * bitcnt);
-
 			if ((blk->bimg_info & BKPIMAGE_HAS_HOLE) != 0)
 				flags[cnt++] = CStringGetTextDatum("HAS_HOLE");
 			if (blk->apply_image)
@@ -336,18 +316,85 @@ GetWALBlockInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogReaderState *record)
 				flags[cnt++] = CStringGetTextDatum("COMPRESS_ZSTD");
 
 			Assert(cnt <= bitcnt);
-			a = construct_array_builtin(flags, cnt, TEXTOID);
+			block_fpi_info = construct_array_builtin(flags, cnt, TEXTOID);
-			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(a);
+		}
+
+		/* start_lsn, end_lsn, prev_lsn, and blockid outputs */
+		values[i++] = LSNGetDatum(record->ReadRecPtr);
+		values[i++] = LSNGetDatum(record->EndRecPtr);
+		values[i++] = LSNGetDatum(XLogRecGetPrev(record));
+		values[i++] = Int16GetDatum(block_id);
+
+		/* relfile and block related outputs */
+		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.spcOid);
+		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.dbOid);
+		values[i++] = ObjectIdGetDatum(blk->rlocator.relNumber);
+		values[i++] = Int16GetDatum(forknum);
+		values[i++] = Int64GetDatum((int64) blkno);
+
+		/* xid, resource_manager, and record_type outputs */
+		values[i++] = TransactionIdGetDatum(XLogRecGetXid(record));
+		values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(desc.rm_name);
+		values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(record_type);
+
+		/*
+		 * record_length, main_data_length, block_data_len, and
+		 * block_fpi_length outputs
+		 */
+		values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(XLogRecGetTotalLen(record));
+		values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(XLogRecGetDataLen(record));
+		values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(block_data_len);
+		values[i++] = UInt32GetDatum(block_fpi_len);
+
+		/* block_fpi_info (text array) output */
+		if (block_fpi_info)
+			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(block_fpi_info);
+		else
+			nulls[i++] = true;
+
+		/* description output (describes WAL record) */
+		if (rec_desc.len > 0)
+			values[i++] = CStringGetTextDatum(rec_desc.data);
+		else
+			nulls[i++] = true;
+
+		/* block_data output */
+		if (blk->has_data)
+		{
+			bytea	   *block_data;
+
+			block_data = (bytea *) palloc(block_data_len + VARHDRSZ);
+			SET_VARSIZE(block_data, block_data_len + VARHDRSZ);
+			memcpy(VARDATA(block_data), blk->data, block_data_len);
+			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(block_data);
 		}
 		else
+			nulls[i++] = true;
+
+		/* block_fpi_data output */
+		if (blk->has_image)
 		{
-			/* No full page image, so store NULLs for all its fields */
+			PGAlignedBlock buf;
-			memset(&nulls[i], true, 3 * sizeof(bool));
+			Page		page;
-			i += 3;
+			bytea	   *block_fpi_data;
+
+			page = (Page) buf.data;
+			if (!RestoreBlockImage(record, block_id, page))
+				ereport(ERROR,
+						(errcode(ERRCODE_INTERNAL_ERROR),
+						 errmsg_internal("%s", record->errormsg_buf)));
+
+			block_fpi_data = (bytea *) palloc(BLCKSZ + VARHDRSZ);
+			SET_VARSIZE(block_fpi_data, BLCKSZ + VARHDRSZ);
+			memcpy(VARDATA(block_fpi_data), page, BLCKSZ);
+			values[i++] = PointerGetDatum(block_fpi_data);
 		}
+		else
+			nulls[i++] = true;
 
 		Assert(i == PG_GET_WAL_BLOCK_INFO_COLS);
 
+		/* Store a tuple for this block reference */
 		tuplestore_putvalues(rsinfo->setResult, rsinfo->setDesc,
 							 values, nulls);
 	}
@@ -356,11 +403,7 @@ GetWALBlockInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogReaderState *record)
 }
 
 /*
- * Get information about all the blocks saved in WAL records between start
+ * Get WAL record info, unnested by block reference
- * and end LSNs. This produces information about the full page images with
- * their relation information, and the data saved in each block associated
- * to a record. Decompression is applied to the full page images, if
- * necessary.
  */
 Datum
 pg_get_wal_block_info(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
@@ -484,7 +527,7 @@ ValidateInputLSNs(XLogRecPtr start_lsn, XLogRecPtr *end_lsn)
 }
 
 /*
- * Get info and data of all WAL records between start LSN and end LSN.
+ * Get info of all WAL records between start LSN and end LSN.
  */
 static void
 GetWALRecordsInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogRecPtr start_lsn,
@@ -536,7 +579,7 @@ GetWALRecordsInfo(FunctionCallInfo fcinfo, XLogRecPtr start_lsn,
 }
 
 /*
- * Get info and data of all WAL records between start LSN and end LSN.
+ * Get info of all WAL records between start LSN and end LSN.
  */
 Datum
 pg_get_wal_records_info(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)

contrib/pg_walinspect/sql/pg_walinspect.sql

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ UPDATE sample_tbl SET col1 = col1 + 1 WHERE col1 = 1;
 SELECT pg_current_wal_lsn() AS wal_lsn4 \gset
 -- Check if we get block data from WAL record.
 SELECT COUNT(*) >= 1 AS ok FROM pg_get_wal_block_info(:'wal_lsn3', :'wal_lsn4')
-  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND blockdata IS NOT NULL;
+  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND block_data IS NOT NULL;
 
 -- Force full-page image on the next update.
 SELECT pg_current_wal_lsn() AS wal_lsn5 \gset
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ UPDATE sample_tbl SET col1 = col1 + 1 WHERE col1 = 2;
 SELECT pg_current_wal_lsn() AS wal_lsn6 \gset
 -- Check if we get FPI from WAL record.
 SELECT COUNT(*) >= 1 AS ok FROM pg_get_wal_block_info(:'wal_lsn5', :'wal_lsn6')
-  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND fpi IS NOT NULL;
+  WHERE relfilenode = :'sample_tbl_oid' AND block_fpi_data IS NOT NULL;
 
 -- ===================================================================
 -- Tests for permissions

doc/src/sgml/pgwalinspect.sgml

@@ -18,29 +18,38 @@
 
  <para>
   All the functions of this module will provide the WAL information using the
-  current server's timeline ID.
+  server's current timeline ID.
- </para>
-
- <para>
-  All the functions of this module will try to find the first valid WAL record
-  that is at or after the given <replaceable>in_lsn</replaceable> or
-  <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> and will emit error if no such record
-  is available. Similarly, the <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> must be
-  available, and if it falls in the middle of a record, the entire record must
-  be available.
  </para>
 
  <note>
   <para>
-   Some functions, such as <function><link
+   The <filename>pg_walinspect</filename> functions are often called
-   linkend="pg-logical-emit-message">pg_logical_emit_message</link></function>,
+   using an LSN argument that specifies the location at which a known
-   return the LSN <emphasis>after</emphasis> the record just
+   WAL record of interest <emphasis>begins</emphasis>.  However, some
-   inserted. Therefore, if you pass that LSN as
+   functions, such as
-   <replaceable>in_lsn</replaceable> or <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable>
+   <function><link linkend="pg-logical-emit-message">pg_logical_emit_message</link></function>,
-   to one of these functions, it will return the <emphasis>next</emphasis>
+   return the LSN <emphasis>after</emphasis> the record that was just
-   record.
+   inserted.
   </para>
  </note>
+ <tip>
+  <para>
+   All of the <filename>pg_walinspect</filename> functions that show
+   information about records that fall within a certain LSN range are
+   permissive about accepting <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable>
+   arguments that are after the server's current LSN.  Using an
+   <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> <quote>from the future</quote>
+   will not raise an error.
+  </para>
+  <para>
+   It may be convenient to provide the value
+   <literal>FFFFFFFF/FFFFFFFF</literal> (the maximum valid
+   <type>pg_lsn</type> value) as an <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable>
+   argument.  This is equivalent to providing an
+   <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> argument matching the server's
+   current LSN.
+  </para>
+ </tip>
  <para>
   By default, use of these functions is restricted to superusers and members of
   the <literal>pg_read_server_files</literal> role. Access may be granted by
@@ -58,11 +67,9 @@
 
     <listitem>
      <para>
-      Gets WAL record information of a given LSN. If the given LSN isn't
+      Gets WAL record information about a record that is located at or
-      at the start of a WAL record, it gives the information of the next
+      after the <replaceable>in_lsn</replaceable> argument.  For
-      available valid WAL record; or an error if no such record is found.
+      example:
-      For example, usage of the function is as
-      follows:
 <screen>
 postgres=# SELECT * FROM pg_get_wal_record_info('0/1E826E98');
 -[ RECORD 1 ]----+----------------------------------------------------
@@ -79,6 +86,12 @@ description      | snapshotConflictHorizon 33748 nredirected 0 ndead 2
 block_ref        | blkref #0: rel 1663/5/60221 fork main blk 2
 </screen>
      </para>
+     <para>
+      If <replaceable>in_lsn</replaceable> isn't at the start of a WAL
+      record, information about the next valid WAL record is shown
+      instead.  If there is no next valid WAL record, the function
+      raises an error.
+     </para>
     </listitem>
    </varlistentry>
 
@@ -94,11 +107,7 @@ block_ref        | blkref #0: rel 1663/5/60221 fork main blk 2
      <para>
       Gets information of all the valid WAL records between
       <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> and <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable>.
-      Returns one row per WAL record. If a future
+      Returns one row per WAL record.  For example:
-      <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> (i.e. ahead of the current LSN of
-      the server) is specified, it returns information until the end of WAL.
-      The function raises an error if <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable>
-      is not available. For example, usage of the function is as follows:
 <screen>
 postgres=# SELECT * FROM pg_get_wal_records_info('0/1E913618', '0/1E913740') LIMIT 1;
 -[ RECORD 1 ]----+--------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -115,6 +124,99 @@ description      | nextXid 33775 latestCompletedXid 33774 oldestRunningXid 33775
 block_ref        |
 </screen>
      </para>
+     <para>
+      The function raises an error if
+      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> is not available.
+     </para>
+    </listitem>
+   </varlistentry>
+
+   <varlistentry>
+    <term>
+     <function>pg_get_wal_block_info(start_lsn pg_lsn, end_lsn pg_lsn) returns setof record</function>
+    </term>
+
+    <listitem>
+     <para>
+      Gets information about each block reference from all the valid
+      WAL records between <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> and
+      <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> with one or more block
+      references.  Returns one row per block reference per WAL record.
+      For example:
+<screen>
+postgres=# SELECT * FROM pg_get_wal_block_info('0/10E9D80', '0/10E9DC0') LIMIT 1;
+-[ RECORD 1 ]-----+-----------------------------------
+start_lsn         | 0/10E9D80
+end_lsn           | 0/10E9DC0
+prev_lsn          | 0/10E9860
+block_id          | 0
+reltablespace     | 1663
+reldatabase       | 1
+relfilenode       | 2690
+relforknumber     | 0
+relblocknumber    | 5
+xid               | 117
+resource_manager  | Btree
+record_type       | INSERT_LEAF
+record_length     | 64
+main_data_length  | 2
+block_data_length | 16
+block_fpi_length  | 0
+block_fpi_info    |
+description       | off 14
+block_data        | \x00005400020010001407000000000000
+block_fpi_data    |
+</screen>
+     </para>
+     <para>
+      This example involves a WAL record that only contains one block
+      reference, but many WAL records contain several block
+      references.  Rows output by
+      <function>pg_get_wal_block_info</function> are guaranteed to
+      have a unique combination of
+      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> and
+      <replaceable>block_id</replaceable> values.
+     </para>
+     <para>
+      Much of the information shown here matches the output that
+      <function>pg_get_wal_records_info</function> would show, given
+      the same arguments.  However,
+      <function>pg_get_wal_block_info</function> unnests the
+      information from each WAL record into an expanded form by
+      outputting one row per block reference, so certain details are
+      tracked at the block reference level rather than at the
+      whole-record level.  This structure is useful with queries that
+      track how individual blocks changed over time.  Note that
+      records with no block references (e.g.,
+      <literal>COMMIT</literal> WAL records) will have no rows
+      returned, so <function>pg_get_wal_block_info</function> may
+      actually return <emphasis>fewer</emphasis> rows than
+      <function>pg_get_wal_records_info</function>.
+     </para>
+     <para>
+      The <structfield>reltablespace</structfield>,
+      <structfield>reldatabase</structfield>, and
+      <structfield>relfilenode</structfield> parameters reference
+      <link linkend="catalog-pg-tablespace"><structname>pg_tablespace</structname></link>.<structfield>oid</structfield>,
+      <link linkend="catalog-pg-database"><structname>pg_database</structname></link>.<structfield>oid</structfield>, and
+      <link linkend="catalog-pg-class"><structname>pg_class</structname></link>.<structfield>relfilenode</structfield>
+      respectively.  The <structfield>relforknumber</structfield>
+      field is the fork number within the relation for the block
+      reference; see <filename>common/relpath.h</filename> for
+      details.
+     </para>
+     <tip>
+      <para>
+       The <function>pg_filenode_relation</function> function (see
+       <xref linkend="functions-admin-dblocation"/>) can help you to
+       determine which block/relation was modified by each WAL record
+       during original execution
+      </para>
+     </tip>
+     <para>
+      The function raises an error if
+      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> is not available.
+     </para>
     </listitem>
    </varlistentry>
 
@@ -133,11 +235,8 @@ block_ref        |
       <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable>. By default, it returns one row per
       <replaceable>resource_manager</replaceable> type. When
       <replaceable>per_record</replaceable> is set to <literal>true</literal>,
-      it returns one row per <replaceable>record_type</replaceable>. If a
+      it returns one row per <replaceable>record_type</replaceable>.
-      future <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> (i.e. ahead of the current
+      For example:
-      LSN of the server) is specified, it returns statistics until the end
-      of WAL. An error is raised if <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> is
-      not available. For example, usage of the function is as follows:
 <screen>
 postgres=# SELECT * FROM pg_get_wal_stats('0/1E847D00', '0/1E84F500')
              WHERE count > 0 LIMIT 1 AND
@@ -154,47 +253,9 @@ combined_size                | 875
 combined_size_percentage     | 2.8634072910530795
 </screen>
      </para>
-    </listitem>
-   </varlistentry>
-
-   <varlistentry>
-    <term>
-     <function>pg_get_wal_block_info(start_lsn pg_lsn, end_lsn pg_lsn) returns setof record</function>
-    </term>
-
-    <listitem>
      <para>
-      Gets a copy of the block information stored in WAL records. This includes
+      The function raises an error if
-      copies of the block data (<literal>NULL</literal> if none) and full page
+      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> is not available.
-      images as <type>bytea</type> values (after
-      applying decompression when necessary, or <literal>NULL</literal> if none)
-      and their information associated with all the valid WAL records between
-      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> and
-      <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable>. Returns one row per block registered
-      in a WAL record. If a future <replaceable>end_lsn</replaceable> (i.e.
-      ahead of the current LSN of the server) is specified, it returns
-      statistics until the end of WAL. An error is raised if
-      <replaceable>start_lsn</replaceable> is not available. For example,
-      usage of the function is as follows:
-<screen>
-postgres=# SELECT lsn, blockid, reltablespace, reldatabase, relfilenode,
-                  relblocknumber, forkname,
-                  substring(blockdata for 24) as block_trimmed,
-                  substring(fpi for 24) as fpi_trimmed, fpilen, fpiinfo
-             FROM pg_get_wal_block_info('0/1871080', '0/1871440');
--[ RECORD 1 ]--+---------------------------------------------------
-lsn            | 0/18712F8
-blockid        | 0
-reltablespace  | 1663
-reldatabase    | 16384
-relfilenode    | 16392
-relblocknumber | 0
-forkname       | main
-block_trimmed  | \x02800128180164000000
-fpi_trimmed    | \x0000000050108701000000002c00601f00200420e0020000
-fpilen         | 204
-fpiinfo        | {HAS_HOLE,APPLY}
-</screen>
      </para>
     </listitem>
    </varlistentry>