Re: [INTERFACES] where postgres 8.1.8 log messages go

Firstly, NEVER point log_directory to your cluster data directory -
always keep it separate. (Personally I put all log files under
/var/log/<application_name>.)
Secondly, I've copied this to pgsql-admin, not pgsql-interfaces as it's
more of an admin issue than programmability.

You need to make sure that the PostgreSQL user can write to
log_directory. (Ideally log_directory should be owned by postgres,
which works well if like me you use /var/log/<app name> as a different
application won't be able to write to postgres's log folder.)

Also note, you need redirect_stderr set to on to capture the output into
log files, otherwise it'll all go on the console.
And while debugging, don't turn on silent mode! Wait till you've got it
working then switch silent mode on.

Please post the entire logging section of your postgresql.conf if you
have further difficulties. Now it's on the right list, more people can
chip in and help - I'd advise joining pgsql-admin if you haven't already.

Andy.

jing han wrote:
> Hi Andy,
>
> Thank you so much for your help. I think what you said are perfectly
> right. But I still encountered strange problem.
>
> I added log_directory='/var/nm2'
> log_filename='pgsql.log'
>
> /var/nm2 is the directory for database files in my system, the
> directory ownership is postgres:postgres, so I think no permission
> problem if later postgres server log message into the file under this
> directory)
>
> And for better debugging, I use
> log_min_error_statement = info
>
> After start postmaster, I looked at directory '/var/nm2', didn't find
> pgsql.log file, then I did some database update action, I still
> couldn't see pgsql.log generated.
>
> I also tried log_directory=/var/log/pgsql the same thing happen.
>
> what else I need to do to make things right?
>
>
> jing
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Andy Shellam (Mailing Lists) <andy(dot)shellam-lists(at)mailnetwork(dot)co(dot)uk>
> To: jing han <jing_han_66(at)yahoo(dot)com>; pgsql-interfaces(at)postgresql(dot)org
> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 10:57:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [INTERFACES] where postgres 8.1.8 log messages go
>
> Don't forget to copy back to the list - Reply To All is your friend ;)
>
> This is my configuration:
>
> log_directory = '/var/log/endeavour/pgsql' # Directory
> where log files are written
>
> Note the single quotes, not double - this could be your problem.
>
> Also note that /var/log/messages is a file, not a directory.
> PostgreSQL will write it's own log files..
> If you want to use a specific log file, use log_filename in
> conjunction with log_directory - but note that syslog uses
> /var/log/messages so don't use that or it'll get syslog confused.
> You can log to syslog as well, if that's what you want to do. Read
> that manual page some more.
>
> I would also not put the log files in /var/log - at least make a
> subdirectory like /var/log/pgsql.
> I've known built-in Linux rotate and compress scripts to play havoc
> with PostgreSQL by rotating and compressing it's logs while it's
> trying to use them, when they're in /var/log.
>
> Andy.
>
> jing han wrote:
>> Hi Andy,
>>
>> Thanks for the information. I tried to add
>>
>> log_destination = "/var/log/messages"
>>
>> into postgresql..conf, then I started database server, I found that db server throwed the following error message:
>>
>> FATAL: syntax error in file "/var/nm2/postgresql.conf" line 130, near token """
>>
>> Can you tell me the syntax for this?
>>
>> The document said that " This option can be set at server start or in the postgresql.conf configuration file.", If set at server start,
>> what is the option for this pramater? (for example: -D is for the database file directory)
>>
>> Thank you for your help.
>>
>>
>> jing
>> ---- Original Message ----
>> From: Andy Shellam (Mailing Lists) <andy(dot)shellam-lists(at)mailnetwork(dot)co(dot)uk>
>> To: jing han <jing_han_66(at)yahoo(dot)com>
>> Cc: pgsql-interfaces(at)postgresql(dot)org
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:32:56 AM
>> Subject: Re: [INTERFACES] where postgres 8.1.8 log messages go
>>
>> Wherever you want them to.
>> In your postgresql.conf file, review the "logging" section.
>>
>> The following will help you:
>>
>> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.1/static/runtime-config-logging.html
>>
>> Andy.
>>
>> jing han wrote:
>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I have a question about postgres log messages. postgres 7.2.3 log messages go to /var/log/messages file, postgres 8.1.8 log messages do not go to /var/log/messages, so where they go?
>>>
>>> Any feedback will be appreciated..
>>>
>>>
>>> jing
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>