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Asked: 2024-09-27T10:39:34+05:30 In:

How can I specify the default version of PostgreSQL to use on my system?

I’ve been diving into some database work recently, and I’m running into a bit of a snag with PostgreSQL on my system. So, here’s the deal: I have multiple versions of PostgreSQL installed—like, why I thought that was a good idea is beyond me! If I remember correctly, I started with version 9.6 for a project ages ago, but then I upgraded to 12 for some newer features. Now, I’ve got version 14 sitting there too, just waiting for me to use it.

But here’s the kicker: whenever I try to run a command in the terminal, it seems to default to the oldest version (9.6). I mean, I get it; older versions have their charm and all, but I really just want to work with the latest version for my current projects. Plus, I don’t want to keep typing out the full path to the executable every time I need to run a query or any migration scripts.

So, how can I go about setting a default version of PostgreSQL on my system? Is there some kind of configuration file or environment variable I need to tweak? Or do I need to go as far as uninstalling the older versions? I’ve heard about tools like `update-alternatives` on Ubuntu, but I’m not entirely sure how that works when it comes to PostgreSQL. I just want to streamline my workflow and avoid running into version conflicts later on.

If anyone out there has tackled a similar issue, I’d love to hear what you did. Bonus points if you could throw in a simple explanation of what to look out for! I’m all ears to learn anyone’s tricks or shortcuts to make my life a little easier as I navigate this database jungle. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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    2 Answers



    1. PostgreSQL Version Management Help

      How to Set Default PostgreSQL Version

      Dealing with multiple versions of PostgreSQL can be a bit of a headache! But don’t worry; there are ways to make your life easier without uninstalling older versions. Here’s what you can do:

      Use `update-alternatives` (on Ubuntu/Debian)

      This is a handy tool that lets you manage different versions of software on your system. Here’s how you can set it up for PostgreSQL:

      1. Open your terminal.
      2. Run the following command to add your PostgreSQL versions to the alternatives system:

        sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/9.6/bin/psql 1
        sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/12/bin/psql 2
        sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/14/bin/psql 3
      3. Now, select the default version you want to use:

        sudo update-alternatives --config psql

        Follow the prompts to choose the version you want. Just type the number of the version you want to set as default.

      Add to Your PATH

      If you’re still having issues, it might help to add the latest version to your PATH. You can do this by adding a line to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile:

      export PATH=/usr/lib/postgresql/14/bin:$PATH

      After adding the line, run source ~/.bashrc or source ~/.bash_profile to apply the changes.

      What to Watch Out For

      • Make sure you don’t have processes running on the older versions while changing defaults.
      • Keep track of which database you’re connected to; accidentally working on an older database can lead to confusion.
      • Test your commands after changing versions to ensure everything’s working smoothly.

      With these steps, you should be able to streamline your PostgreSQL workflow. If you still run into issues, feel free to ask around in the community or check the PostgreSQL documentation for more detailed instructions. Good luck!


    2. To set a default version of PostgreSQL on your system, you can use the `update-alternatives` command on Ubuntu, which allows you to manage different versions of software easily. First, you will need to configure `update-alternatives` to recognize your PostgreSQL installations. Open your terminal and run the following commands to set up the alternatives:

      
sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/9.6/bin/psql 1
sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/12/bin/psql 2
sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/psql psql /usr/lib/postgresql/14/bin/psql 3

      Once you have added the different versions, you can select the default version by executing:

      
sudo update-alternatives --config psql

      This will present you with a list of installed versions, allowing you to select the one you want to use by default. Additionally, make sure that your environment variables, especially `PATH`, are set correctly to prioritize the desired version. You can do this by checking your `.bashrc` or `.bash_profile` and updating the `PATH` variable to include the path to the version you want to use. This way, you won’t need to uninstall the older versions, and you can streamline your workflow without conflicts between different PostgreSQL versions.

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