Re: pg_start_backup and pg_stop_backup Re: Re: [COMMITTERS] pgsql: Make CheckRequiredParameterValues() depend upon correct

Heikki Linnakangas <heikki.linnakangas@enterprisedb.com> writes:
> Well, it would be nice to allow using pg_start_backup() on the primary
> when streaming replication is enabled, even if archiving isn't.
> Otherwise the only way to get the base backup for the standby is to shut
> down primary first, or use filesystem snapshot etc.

I think I must be missing something: exactly how would you fire up a new
standby from such a base backup, if you weren't running archiving?
If you aren't archiving then there's no guarantee that you'll still have
a continuous WAL series starting from the start of the backup.

IOW I think that the requirement in pg_start_backup shouldn't be relaxed
without some more thought/work.
        regards, tom lane