Re: ALTER SYSTEM SET command to change postgresql.conf parameters (RE: Proposal for Allow postgresql.conf values to be changed via SQL [review]) - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

Josh Berkus <josh@agliodbs.com> writes:
> Christophe just discovered something with include files which is going
> to cause issues with ALTER SYSTEM SET.

> So, take as a hypothetical that you use the default postgresql.conf
> file, which sets shared_buffers = 32MB.

> Instead of editing this file, you do ALTER SYSTEM SET shared_buffers =
> '1GB', which updates config/postgresql.auto.conf.

> Then you restart PostgreSQL.

> Everything is hunky-dory, until a later occasion where you *reload*
> postgresql.

Everything was already *not* hunky-dory as soon as you did that, since
a SIGHUP would have had the same problem.

I'd be inclined to think that ALTER SYSTEM SET should not be allowed to
modify any PGC_POSTMASTER parameters.
        regards, tom lane