>> Well, if you want PostgreSQL to act a specific way, then you are going
>> to
>> have to set up the defaults somehow, right?
>
> Of course, which is why we could use a global table for most of it.
What if you wish to start the same database cluster with different settings?
>
>>
>> Which is cleaner? Using a configuration file which is going to be there
>> anyway, or trying to rig-up some sort of autostart.sql mechanism to put
>> PostgreSQL into its desired state?
>
> Initdb could easily create this as part of the catalog/cluster.
Assuming you know the tuning parameters at creation time, hint: you don't.
>
>>
>> I periodically get into arguments on hackers because I want *more*
>> options
>> available in postgresql.conf
>
> Then I think we will have to agree to disagree ;).
True.
>
>>
>> My dream is to start postgres like:
>>
>> /opt/postgres/bin/postmaster
>> --config-file=/opt/postgres/bases/tiger.conf
>> or
>> /opt/postgres/bin/postmaster
>> --config-file=/opt/postgres/bases/zipcode.conf
>
> You can do that easily if you have multiple catalogs which is what we do
> when we want that.
I *really* dislike this sort of strategy.
>
>>
>> I also want an include directve that allows production or debugging
>> settings to be easily used.
>>
>
> Such as?
Printing out statement execution, timing, etc. obviously.