Re: pgsql user change to postgres

On 7/2/06, Joe <dev(at)freedomcircle(dot)net> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I started using PostgreSQL (8.0) about a year ago on Windows. Following
> the installation instructions, I created a 'postgres' user (BTW, this
> was based on the Short Version instructions for UNIX, i.e., "adduser
> postgres" --I'm not sure it this is made explicit elsewhere, even for UNIX).
>
> I'm now migrating to FreeBSD and was surprised to find that the port
> used 'pgsql' as the user. The maintainer said that was done to ensure
> backward compatibility because that *was* the original name. Since I
> didn't need to be backward compatible (and my Windows dbs already used
> 'postgres'), I tried to bypass that (sort of) requirement by renaming
> 'pgsql' to 'postgres' (in the passwd file) and changing the
> postgresql_user variable used in the rc startup file. That was OK until
> I tried to build 8.1.4_1. I figured out how to tweak the build files to
> stick with 'postgres' but then I realized I'd have to patch them every
> time I'd fetch a new build, so I went back to 'pgsql'.
>
> I'm curious about a few things. How long ago was the 'pgsql' to
> 'postgres' change (and maybe it would be helpful to know the rationale
> for the backward incompatible decision--I tried searching in the
> archives but 'pgsql' and 'postgres' are all too common)? Is there any
> problem with using 'pgsql' vs. 'postgres' (and are there any plans to
> deprecate or disallow the former at some point)? Are other UNIX/Linux
> ports in the same boat, or does any Linux port offer users a choice in
> this matter? Would any change to the build/install procs have to be
> done through the current port maintainer or are they somewhere in the
> PostgreSQL source tree (and subject to standard submission/review
> procedures)?

I *think* that's a bsd decision to change the name. All of the linux
systems I have used for the last 5-6 years have used 'postgres' as the
user.

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