Is there a way to install PostgreSQL using apt-get without it running initdb automatically?

UdIt Solanki

6/10/23, 7:24 PM

I am trying to set up replication for PostgreSQL on Ubuntu 20.04 and for the stand-by node I just need to install the PostgreSQL-server and not run initdb. Cluster creation on the stand-by will be taken care of when I will setup replication from master.

But, when ever I am running

sudo apt-get -y install postgresql

initdb is called and cluster is created. In other distribution such as RHEL, it is possible to not run initdb and just install the postgresql server using packages (https://www.postgresql.org/download/linux/redhat/).

Is there any way to get around this? or is this just how installation works on ubuntu when installing using apt-get?

0 + 0

apt

postgresql

20.04

Score:1

Ubuntu

Daniel Vérité

6/16/23, 8:06 PM

Q: initdb is called and cluster is created. In other distribution such as RHEL, it is possible to not run initdb and just install the postgresql server

There are two ways to do that:

Either set the following option to off in /etc/postgresql-common/createcluster.conf:
```
# Create a "main" cluster when a new postgresql-x.y server package is installed
create_main_cluster = off
```
This configuration file is part of the postgresql-common package, which must be installed first to have the opportunity to overwrite this option ( otherwise, it will be installed automatically as a dependency of the postgresql-$VERSION package).
Or create the directory /etc/postgresql/$VERSION before the postgresql-$VERSION package gets installed. The existence of this directory will make the post-installation script skip the creation of a default cluster.

0 + 0

UdIt Solanki

6/28/23, 1:50 PM

This worked as well. Thanks!

Score:1

Ubuntu

matigo

6/11/23, 12:45 PM

Debian-based Linux distributions — such as Ubuntu — will start new services as part of the post-installation scripts when installing via apt. This has been the default behaviour "forever". That said, you can temporarily disable this by temporarily creating a policy-rc.d file.

Here's how:

Open Terminal (or SSH into the machine)
Create a policy-rc.d file in /usr/sbin:
```
sudo {editor of choice} /etc/sbin/policy-rc.d
```
^{Note: Be sure to replace {editor of choice} with your editor of choice.}
Paste the following lines into the new file:
```
#!/bin/sh
exit 101
```
Save the file and exit the editor
Install your application(s)

Once you are done, be sure to remove the policy-rc.d file, otherwise any future apt install operations may not succeed, such as system updates.

0 + 0

UdIt Solanki

6/28/23, 1:49 PM

This worked very well. Thanks!

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: Is there a way to install PostgreSQL using apt-get without it running initdb automatically?

TH: มีวิธีติดตั้ง PostgreSQL โดยใช้ apt-get โดยไม่เรียกใช้ initdb โดยอัตโนมัติหรือไม่

RO: Există o modalitate de a instala PostgreSQL folosind apt-get fără ca acesta să ruleze automat initdb?

RU: Есть ли способ установить PostgreSQL с помощью apt-get без автоматического запуска initdb?

VI: Có cách nào để cài đặt PostgreSQL bằng apt-get mà không tự động chạy initdb không?

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