Re: backup

"dubois"<dubois@bol.com.br> writes:
>   I want to make a backup copy of a
> database...
> What I have to do?

pg_dumpall is the recommended answer.

>   Do I have just to copy the directory
> at
> /var/lib/pgsql/base ?

This is NOT sufficient.

Copying the entire $PGDATA directory (not only the base/ subdirectory)
is sufficient, if and only if the database is completely idle while you
do it --- I'd recommend stopping the postmaster to be sure.  Otherwise
you will get inconsistent files.  In particular, you WILL have problems
if $PGDATA/pg_log is out of sync with any table data file.

            regards, tom lane