Cluster configuration

PostgreSQL is configured by means of a bunch of text files that contain directives and values used to bootstrap the cluster and get it running. We have seen how configuration files are handled throughout the book, but in this chapter, we will go into detail explaining how configuration is managed.

There are three main configuration files that present the starting point for any configuration:

• postgresql.conf is the main cluster configuration file and contains all the data required to start the cluster, set up processes (as WAL senders) and logging, and configure how the cluster will accept connections (for example, on which TCP/IP address).
• postgresql.auto.conf is a file automatically generated and edited by the cluster itself and contains parameters changed by the superuser from within the cluster. You should never edit this file manually, but you can inspect it with your text editor to read its contents.
• pg_hba.conf is the file that...