Re: does postgresql backup require additional space on disk

On 5/13/19 10:59 AM, Julie Nishimura wrote:
> Hello,
> we are almost out of disk space on one of our servers (99% full). If we 
> run pg_dump to a diff location, does it require any additional disk 
> space on our current server? I am asking, because on some other 
> software, a backup might open transaction which keeps growing and 
> eventually consume all space, keeping tran open for the backup duration. 
> Please clarify? Thanks

A pg_dump is a point in time snapshot of the database, so if the cluster 
is running then it will advance past the dump snapshot. If the cluster 
is not active(close off connections to all but pg_dump) then pg_dump 
will be the only transaction.

I think the first thing to ask is what you are trying to achieve?

-- 
Adrian Klaver
adrian.klaver@aklaver.com