Walter Dnes wrote:

 I'm running PostgreSQL 8.0.3, the latest stable ebuild, on Gentoo linux.

 1) Am I inviting any problems in linux by moving the directory
/var/lib/postgresql to /home/postgresql, and then symlinking
/home/postgresql back to /var/lib/postgresql?  The reason for this is
to avoid having databases, indexes, etc, physically ending up on my
/dev/sda1 partition, which I want to reserve for the OS only.
No. But I would rather do an initdb to a different location and edit your init.d script, but this is a personal choice and I have trouble deciding which is better or why :-)

 2) Although I have an AMD64 cpu. I chickened out and went for a 32-bit
install.  If/when I do migrate to 64-bit, can I keep my databases, or
will I have to export/import them?
I don't know how architecture-specific the data format might be as it is written to disk, in particular how alignment might be affected. To be safe, plan on an export/import and take a dump of your cluster before you do the upgrade :-)
 3) Are there any free sample datasets and tutorials for users who are
familiar with SQL and Oracle PL/SQL?  I have no DBA experience, but I do
write quite a few read-only Oracle SQL queries and PL/SQL programs at
work, even though I'm not a CS.  An Oracle-to-PostgreSQL comparison
would be nice to see.
Take a look at the online docs. The tutorial is aimed mostly at SQL newbies, but there are sections on migrating from Oracle.

Best Wishes,
Chris Travers
Metatron Technology Consulting

---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?

              http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq

Reply via email to