? 1019596-field_read_instance-doc.patch
Index: modules/field/field.crud.inc
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvs/drupal/drupal/modules/field/field.crud.inc,v
retrieving revision 1.74
diff -u -p -r1.74 field.crud.inc
--- modules/field/field.crud.inc	2 Jan 2011 17:26:39 -0000	1.74
+++ modules/field/field.crud.inc	14 Feb 2011 21:52:27 -0000
@@ -635,12 +635,11 @@ function _field_write_instance($instance
 }
 
 /**
- * Reads a single instance record directly from the database.
+ * Reads a single instance record from the database.
  *
- * Generally, you should use the field_info_instance() instead.
- *
- * This function will not return deleted instances. Use
- * field_read_instances() instead for this purpose.
+ * Generally, you should use the field_info_instance() to allow
+ * other modules the opportunity to append additional info, 
+ * formatters, and widgets, as well as to take advantage of caching.
  *
  * @param $entity_type
  *   The type of entity to which the field is bound.