Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:48:40 -0400
From: Ray Stell <stellr@cns.vt.edu>
To: pgsql-docs@postgresql.org
Subject: configuration parameter descriptions
Message-ID: <20110427154840.GA22607@cns.vt.edu>
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I'd like to make a general suggestion on configuration parameter
documentation.  I'd like to see a high level entry as to whether the
parameter can be changed on the fly or not.  I think the Oracle docs refer
to this as static/dynamic.  

Currently, dynamic parameters, those that can be changed in a running
cluster, can be identified by the fact that no statement is made.  This
can be confusing.  

An example of the "static" entry follows:

 listen_addresses (string)

   parmater description .........
   This parameter can only be set at server start.

This might be communicated with something like:

  listen_addresses (string) /static

The current entry for maintenance_work_mem looks like this:

 maintenance_work_mem (integer)

     Specifies the maximum amount of memory...

which might look something like this:

 maintenance_work_mem (integer)  /dynamic

     Specifies the maximum amount of memory

I'd be willing to work on this adaptation if you need help.
I'd need some introduction to your text management.

Thanks,
Ray