Postgres search_path - ghdrako/doc_snipets GitHub Wiki

There are various ways to set the runtime variable search_path.

  1. Set a cluster-wide default for all roles in all databases in postgresql.conf (and reload). Careful with that!
search_path = 'blarg,public'

The shipped default for this setting is:

search_path = "$user",public
  1. Set it as default for one database:
ALTER DATABASE test SET search_path = blarg,public;
  1. Set it as default for the role you connect with (effective cluster-wide):
ALTER ROLE foo SET search_path = blarg,public;
  1. or even (often best!) as default for a role in a database:
ALTER ROLE foo IN DATABASE test SET search_path = blarg,public;
  1. Write the command at the top of your script. Or execute it in your DB session:
SET search_path = blarg,public;

psql 'host=myHost user=myUser dbname=myDb port=myPort options=--search_path=myschema'

or, if you prefer the URI style,

psql 'postgresql://myUser@myHost:myPort/myDb?options=--search_path%3dmyschema'

PGOPTIONS=--search_path=myschema psql -h myHost -U myUser -dmyDb -p myPort
  1. Set a specific search_path for the scope of a function (to be safe from malicious users with sufficient privileges). Read about Writing SECURITY DEFINER Functions Safely in the manual.
CREATE FUNCTION foo() RETURNS void AS
$func$
BEGIN
   -- do stuff
END
$func$ LANGUAGE plpgsql SECURITY DEFINER
       SET search_path=blarg,public,pg_temp;

Higher number in list trumps lower number.

To see the current setting:

SHOW search_path;

To reset it:

RESET search_path;

You can find configuration settings for roles and databases in the catalog table pg_db_role_setting.

SELECT r.rolname, d.datname, rs.setconfig
FROM   pg_db_role_setting rs
LEFT   JOIN pg_roles      r ON r.oid = rs.setrole
LEFT   JOIN pg_database   d ON d.oid = rs.setdatabase
WHERE  r.rolname = 'myrole' OR d.datname = 'mydb';

The next lower instance determines the default state of the search_path, which is postgresql.conf in this case or command-line options at server start

To unset any settings of a role or database - the search_path in this particular example:

ALTER ROLE myrole RESET search_path;

Or:

ALTER DATABASE mydb RESET search_path;

Or:

ALTER ROLE myrole in DATABASE mydb RESET search_path;

Essentially, the RESET command deletes a row from pg_db_role_setting