Re: BUG #14912: Undocumented: 'psql -l' assumes database 'postgresql' not $USER

Patch applied and backpatched through PG 10. Thanks.

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On Thu, Nov 16, 2017 at 02:27:06PM -0700, David G. Johnston wrote:
> On Thu, Nov 16, 2017 at 10:17 AM, <mhwood(at)ameritech(dot)net> wrote:
>
> The following bug has been logged on the website:
>
> Bug reference:      14912
> Logged by:          Mark Wood
> ​[...]​
>
> That is true *unless* using -l / --list.  The code shows that this option
> defaults to 'postgresql' instead, overriding the libpq defaulting.
>
>
> ​It actually defaults to "postgres"
> ​
> ​[...]​
>  
>
> The actual behavior may be reasonable, but if so it should be documented as
> an exception for the --list function.
>
>
> I can see an argument for either default, but given that this invocation has
> never defaulted to the user's database I cannot see changing it.
>
> I agree this should be considered a doc bug and back-patched.  Possible
> verbiage for master below and attached.
>
> Changing the "Usage" section to point out this exception to the rule seems
> undesirable.
>
> David J.
>
> diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> index e520cdf3ba..ad2a505b1e 100644
> --- a/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> +++ b/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> @@ -283,7 +283,9 @@ EOF
>        <listitem>
>        <para>
>        List all available databases, then exit. Other non-connection
> -      options are ignored. This is similar to the meta-command
> +      options are ignored. If an explicit database name is not
> +      found the <literal>postgres</literal> database, not the user's,
> +      will be targeted for connection. This is similar to the meta-command
>        <command>\list</command>.
>        </para>
>        </listitem>
>
>

> diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> index e520cdf3ba..ad2a505b1e 100644
> --- a/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> +++ b/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml
> @@ -283,7 +283,9 @@ EOF
> <listitem>
> <para>
> List all available databases, then exit. Other non-connection
> - options are ignored. This is similar to the meta-command
> + options are ignored. If an explicit database name is not
> + found the <literal>postgres</literal> database, not the user's,
> + will be targeted for connection. This is similar to the meta-command
> <command>\list</command>.
> </para>
> </listitem>

--
Bruce Momjian <bruce(at)momjian(dot)us> http://momjian.us
EnterpriseDB http://enterprisedb.com

+ As you are, so once was I. As I am, so you will be. +
+ Ancient Roman grave inscription +