PostgreSQL 8.0.0rc2 Documentation
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# ALTER DATABASE

## Name

ALTER DATABASE -- change a database

## Synopsis

    ALTER DATABASE name SET parameter { TO | = } { value | DEFAULT }
    ALTER DATABASE name RESET parameter

    ALTER DATABASE name RENAME TO newname

    ALTER DATABASE name OWNER TO new_owner

## Description

`ALTER DATABASE` is used to change the attributes of a database.

The first two forms change the session default of a run-time configuration variable for a PostgreSQL database. Whenever a new session is subsequently started in that database, the specified value becomes the session default value. The database-specific default overrides whatever setting is present in `postgresql.conf` or has been received from the `postmaster` command line. Only the database owner or a superuser can change the session defaults for a database.

The third form changes the name of the database. Only the database owner can rename a database, and only if he has the `CREATEDB` privilege. The current database cannot be renamed. (Connect to a different database if you need to do that.)

The fourth form changes the owner of the database. Only a superuser can change the database's owner.

## Parameters

name

  The name of the database whose session defaults are to be altered.

parameter
value

  Set the session default for this database of the specified configuration parameter to the given value. If value is `DEFAULT` or, equivalently, `RESET` is used, the database-specific variable setting is removed and the system-wide default setting will be inherited in new sessions. Use `RESET ALL` to clear all settings.

  See SET and Section 16.4 for more information about allowed parameter names and values.

newname

  The new name of the database.

## Notes

Using ALTER USER, it is also possible to tie a session default to a specific user rather than a database. User-specific settings override database-specific ones if there is a conflict.

## Examples

To disable index scans by default in the database `test`:

    ALTER DATABASE test SET enable_indexscan TO off;

## Compatibility

The `ALTER DATABASE` statement is a PostgreSQL extension.

## See Also

ALTER USER, CREATE DATABASE, DROP DATABASE, SET

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