Re: PGUSER and initdb

On 12/11/19 9:06 AM, Tom Lane wrote:
> Adrian Klaver <adrian(dot)klaver(at)aklaver(dot)com> writes:
>> On 12/11/19 5:18 AM, Олег Самойлов wrote:
>> This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section 33.14).
>> https://www.postgresql.org/docs/12/libpq-envars.html
>> PGUSER behaves the same as the user connection parameter.
>>> This is don't work with `initdb` and `pg_ctl initdb`.
>
> This seems like nonsense to me. The initdb documentation says perfectly
> clearly that the initial superuser's name is set by -U. It does not
> say anything about PGUSER. I think the reference to libpq in the docs
> probably should be taken out, because initdb never uses libpq to make
> a connection, so libpq's defaults are not relevant.

I am not seeing it as nonsense. The OP made a valid observation, PGUSER
is not used by the program even though the docs say it should be. If
what you say about is libpq is also valid for the other programs listed
here:

https://www.postgresql.org/docs/12/reference-server.html

then the docs probably to be gone over for them also:

https://www.postgresql.org/docs/12/app-pg-ctl.html

"pg_ctl, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment
variables supported by libpq (see Section 33.14)."

>
> regards, tom lane
>

--
Adrian Klaver
adrian(dot)klaver(at)aklaver(dot)com