44.51. pg_settings

The view pg_settings provides access to run-time parameters of the server. It is essentially an alternative interface to the SHOW and SET commands. It also provides access to some facts about each parameter that are not directly available from SHOW, such as minimum and maximum values.

Table 44-51. pg_settings Columns

NameTypeDescription
nametextRun-time configuration parameter name
settingtextCurrent value of the parameter
unittextImplicit unit of the parameter
categorytextLogical group of the parameter
short_desctextA brief description of the parameter
extra_desctextAdditional, more detailed, information about the parameter
contexttextContext required to set the parameter's value
vartypetextParameter type (bool, integer, real, or string)
sourcetextSource of the current parameter value
min_valtextMinimum allowed value of the parameter (NULL for non-numeric values)
max_valtextMaximum allowed value of the parameter (NULL for non-numeric values)

The pg_settings view cannot be inserted into or deleted from, but it can be updated. An UPDATE applied to a row of pg_settings is equivalent to executing the SET command on that named parameter. The change only affects the value used by the current session. If an UPDATE is issued within a transaction that is later aborted, the effects of the UPDATE command disappear when the transaction is rolled back. Once the surrounding transaction is committed, the effects will persist until the end of the session, unless overridden by another UPDATE or SET.