Re: Would a PostgreSQL database on a DVD be usable?

Peter Eisentraut wrote:

> Andrew Gould writes:
>
> > If a data analyst needed to perform analysis (select
> > statements only, no updates, creates, etc) while
> > traveling, would it be feasible to put a database on a
> > DVD? Could PostgreSQL use it? Does the use of oid's
> > eliminate such possibilities?
>
> This won't work. You need to be able to write to the medium for a number
> of reasons.

Is the reason that PostgreSQL must have log files etc. in the same directory as the data files (it does not appear to support, for example, the Oracle LOGFILE syntax on CREATE DATABASE)?

(Is there any good reason for this, btw.? The major vendors [Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase] support having logfiles (txn, redo, archive) on separate file systems/devices for reliability and performance.)

Presumably you could do, say, an MS SQL Server database on a CD ROM? The system tables would have to be on hard disk, as would the logs (and there are issues around having consistent paths on different systems, but nevermind), but it *should* work?

Allan.