Conventions

Note: The following description applies both to Postgres-XC and PostgreSQL if not described explicitly. You can read PostgreSQL as Postgres-XC except for version number, which is specific to each product.

The following conventions are used in the synopsis of a command: brackets ([ and ]) indicate optional parts. (In the synopsis of a Tcl command, question marks (?) are used instead, as is usual in Tcl.) Braces ({ and }) and vertical lines (|) indicate that you must choose one alternative. Dots (...) mean that the preceding element can be repeated.

Where it enhances the clarity, SQL commands are preceded by the prompt =>, and shell commands are preceded by the prompt $. Normally, prompts are not shown, though.

This manual is based upon SGML source file of PostgreSQL documentation. Because Postgres-XC is an extension to PostgreSQL, they share most of the feature. To specify following sections or paragraphs are common to both, the following notice will be used.

Note: The following description applies both to Postgres-XC and PostgreSQL if not described explicitly. You can read PostgreSQL as Postgres-XC except for version number, which is specific to each product.

To specify the following sections or paragraphs are specific to Postgres-XC, the following notice will be used.

Note: XCONLY: The following description applies only to Postgres-XC.

If some PostgreSQL features are missing or it is not applicable to Postgres-XC but important to understand the backgrounds, it will be noticed as follows:

Note: The following description applies only to PostgreSQL

If description is a simple copy from PostgreSQL and need some improvement in the future, it will be noticed as follows:

Note: At present, this section is just taken from PostgreSQL documentation and is subject to revision for Postgres-XC.

Note: The following description applies both to Postgres-XC and PostgreSQL if not described explicitly. You can read PostgreSQL as Postgres-XC except for version number, which is specific to each product.

An administrator is generally a person who is in charge of installing and running the server. A user could be anyone who is using, or wants to use, any part of the PostgreSQL system. These terms should not be interpreted too narrowly; this book does not have fixed presumptions about system administration procedures.