PostgreSQL data file location

Question

I am using PostgreSQL on Mac, I have created several databases using command line. I am looking into /Library/PostgreSQL/9.2/data and I can not see any .dat file. Am I looking into the wrong place for data files?

I have used the following command: ps auxw | grep postgres | grep -- -D as mentioned PostgreSQL database default location on Linux and it gives me the /Library/PostgreSQL/9.2/data directory.

Any ideas?

`select setting from pg_settings where name = 'data_directory'` shows you the real path of the data directory (you must be connect to PostgreSQL as a superuser) — , Jan 04 '13 at 16:59
Do not know about Mac. If this can help, in my Linux box they are located under /var/lib/pgsql/data/. Anyway, the files are only visible for the user postgresql. May be your files are there but hidden for your current user. — jap1968, Jan 04 '13 at 17:04

score 14 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 06 '14 at 13:35

14

select setting from pg_settings where name = 'data_directory'

and

ps auxw | grep postgres | grep -- -D

both generate the same result. The first one through postgresql, second one command line. Thanks to @a_horse_with_no_name

edited Feb 06 '14 at 13:35

Dave Liepmann

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answered Jan 04 '13 at 17:38

sheidaei

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score 3 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

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PostgreSQL lets you store data in relatively arbitrary locations in the filesystem. The default location, which you can get with show data_directory, isn't the whole story.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

Community

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answered Jan 04 '13 at 18:08

Mike Sherrill 'Cat Recall'

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PostgreSQL data file location

2 Answers2