postgresql-10 : The program "initdb" is needed by pg_ctl but was not found in the same directory as "pg_ctl" Check your Installation

Question

I am new to this forum, i am facing this issue, where i get the below error.

sudo -u shahid ./pg_ctl -D /root/pgsql10x/data/ initdb
invalid binary "/root/pgsql10x/bin/pg_ctl"
invalid binary "/root/pgsql10x/bin/pg_ctl"
invalid binary "/root/pgsql10x/bin/pg_ctl"

The program "initdb" is needed by pg_ctl but was not found in the same directory as "pg_ctl".

Check your installation.

I am trying to run this from root.

I have built from the source. I am trying version 10. on CentOS7. I downloaded direct from postgres site.

I am not facing this problem when I run as non-root user.

I have all the files in the bin directory, as shared in image here:

bin directory files

"*the bin directory*" - which `bin` directory? Also, post text as text, not pictures of text. — melpomene, Jul 06 '18 at 19:03
@a_horse_with_no_name - > Postgres cannot be started as a root user. that's a limitation. — Mohammed Shahid Nawaz, Jul 08 '18 at 11:15
@melpomene - Because, i need it to run on both centOS & RHEL on 2 different versions 6 & 7. — Mohammed Shahid Nawaz, Jul 08 '18 at 11:16
@melpomene The bin directory is of postgres, which i am worried about. The image does the justice here, as the copy paste of output is not legible to read. — Mohammed Shahid Nawaz, Jul 08 '18 at 11:17
@melpomene- The idea to down vote is agreed for java/C/Pyhon type of code. When i am giving you all the details here, and explaining the scenario, your idea of downvote is just adding more pain to existing problem. What more can you investigate in the 'ls' command where every details is already listed and captured here. — Mohammed Shahid Nawaz, Jul 09 '18 at 08:18

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 09 '18 at 12:33

Finally, I was able to resolve the issue.

The problem was due to the built source was directly placed in "/root/" directory as /root/pgsql10x/ in root login.

when i placed it in "/app/" directory as /app/pgsql10x/ things started working normally, database got created and database got working without any problem (in root login).

-Shahid

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 26 '20 at 10:19

0

The error comes from the fact that you are trying to start the cluster as the root user you'll have to switch to postgres and try restarting the cluster again

su - postgres
pg_ctl start

edited Oct 26 '20 at 10:19

seshadri_c

6,906
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answered Oct 24 '20 at 21:53

Raoul Fabo

1

postgresql-10 : The program "initdb" is needed by pg_ctl but was not found in the same directory as "pg_ctl" Check your Installation

2 Answers2