Re: pg_ctl idempotent option

Peter Eisentraut <peter_e@gmx.net> writes:
> Here is a patch to add an option -I/--idempotent to pg_ctl, the result
> of which is that pg_ctl doesn't error on start or stop if the server is
> already running or already stopped.

Idempotent is a ten-dollar word.  Can we find something that average
people wouldn't need to consult a dictionary to understand?

Also, should the option affect *only* the result code as you have it,
or should it also change the printed messages to reflect that the
case is considered expected?

Also it appears to me that the hunk at lines 812ff is changing the
default behavior, which is not what the patch is advertised to do.
        regards, tom lane