Where is psql history stored?
As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time working with PostgreSQL and using the psql command-line tool, I can tell you that the command-line history is stored in a specific file on your system. This file is known as the psql history file and it keeps track of all the commands you have entered in the psql shell.
On Unix-like systems, such as Linux or macOS, the psql history file is typically located in the user’s home directory and is named “.psql_history”. The leading dot in the file name indicates that it is a hidden file. So, if your username is “myuser”, the full path to the psql history file would be “/home/myuser/.psql_history”.
On Windows systems, the psql history file is stored in a slightly different location. It can be found in the “%APPDATA%\postgresql” directory, with the file name “psql_history”. The “%APPDATA%” variable represents the Application Data folder specific to each user. So, the full path to the psql history file would be “C:\Users\myuser\AppData\Roaming\postgresql\psql_history”.
It’s worth noting that the psql history file is not created automatically. It is only created and updated when you execute commands in the psql shell. If you haven’t used psql yet, the history file might not exist. However, once you start using psql and executing commands, the file will be created and populated with your command history.
One thing to keep in mind is that the psql history file is specific to each user. If you have multiple users on your system or multiple databases with different user accounts, each user will have their own separate history file. This ensures that the command history remains private and specific to each user.
In my personal experience, I have found the psql history file to be quite useful. It allows me to easily access and recall previously executed commands, saving me time and effort when I need to repeat or modify a command that I have used before. It also helps me keep track of my work and serves as a useful reference when troubleshooting or reviewing past activities.
To summarize, the psql history file, which stores the command-line history for the psql shell, is located in the ~/.psql_history file on Unix-like systems and in the %APPDATA%\postgresql\psql_history file on Windows systems. It is a user-specific file that is created and updated as you execute commands in the psql shell.