"--tuning" compile and runtime option (?)

Hi guys,

Just thinking about the future directions PostgreSQL is taking, and it
seems (just a feeling) like most people prefer it to be as self tuning
as possible.

In trying to think about how it will/would do that I think PostgreSQL
will need to know "how much" of the resources of the server its on, it's
allowed to take.

Can think of three scenario's, 1) Single-purpose PostgreSQL server 2)
shared function server (i.e. Apache, Postgres, etc on the same box) 3)
Embedded or otherwise resource limited server (Palmtop, etc).

When we get around to PostgreSQL's self-tuning ability being actively
developed (and I think Bruce has done some of the very start with his
monitor program), perhaps having a compile time option to set the
default for the server, and a runtime option in case it changes?

i.e.

--tuning=superserver
--tuning=shared
--tuning=embedded

postmaster -t superserver
postmaster -t shared
postmaster -t embedded

What do people think?

Regards and best wishes,

Justin Clift

P.S. - I'm not on the Hackers mailing list from this account.  Can
anyone responding please include me directly in their replies?

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"My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those
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