Re: pg_xlog and the WAL files

"Achakzai, Omar" <omar(dot)achakzai(at)logicacmg(dot)com> writes:
> 1. What happens when the file system on which the pg_xlog directly resides,=
> completely fills up? Does PostgreSQL wait until free space is available ag=
> ain?=20

I believe it'll PANIC and shut down. You won't lose any committed
transactions ... but transactions in progress are out of luck.

> 2. Our PostgreSQL database (version 8.1.4.) generates almost 20 GB of WAL f=
> iles per hour! What are the best practices related to administering large a=
> mounts of WAL files? Would it be wise to compress the WAL files?=20

What are your checkpoint settings? Reducing checkpoint frequency is one
way to cut the WAL volume.

regards, tom lane