Re: initdb profiles

On 2005-09-08, Peter Eisentraut <peter_e@gmx.net> wrote:
> Andrew - Supernews wrote:
>> Running initdb behind the scenes is a proven dangerous practice
>
> Please elaborate.

Example instance:
http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-hackers/2004-12/msg00851.php

More generally, you risk running initdb and doing a normal database
startup despite missing filesystems (assuming your db is substantial
and important enough that you don't keep in it /var or /usr). There are
a number of ways that this can bite you, whether due to thinking that
the database is up when it really isn't usable, or subsequently mounting
over the new data dir, or any number of other potential issues.

A missing data directory on startup should mean "something is wrong", not
"oh look, I'll run initdb and start up anyway".

-- 
Andrew, Supernews
http://www.supernews.com - individual and corporate NNTP services