Postgresql – could not save history to file “/var/lib/postgresql/.psql_history”: No such file or directory

postgresqlUbuntu

I'm following this tutorial to set up my postgresql db.

http://inventtheweb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/install-postgresql-for-django.html

After I finish running the CREATE DATABASE command and run \q

I get the following response.

could not save history to file "/var/lib/postgresql/.psql_history": No such file or directory

What exactly is causing this and will this cause me any issues?

More Information: The version of postgresql that is being installed is 9.3 and I'm installing it on Ubuntu Server 14.04 LTS

Best Answer

Yes, the PGSQL system user (usually postgres) has its home directory set to /var/lib/postgresql. I'm presuming you installed your database in a different location. Since that directory doesn't exist, the PSQL program cannot access that folder to create its history file. (PSQL is the interactive command line for PGSQL).

Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. That history file is just a list of commands that were executed inside the PSQL interface.

Since you're done installing, I doubt you'll ever see the message again. That is, unless you connect to PSQL using your own account and you continue to get a similar error message. In that case, your HOME variable might be wrong. You're not logged in to your system as postgres are you? If you are planning on using that user interactively (not advised at all), then you'll have to set its HOME directory to some valid folder.

Here are some reference solutions.