Press "Enter" to skip to content

The Importance of backup_label Files for Postgres

Robert Haas says, don’t delete that file:

I’m sure you already know what I’m going to tell you: “Of course you need that backup_label file. How could you even think that you don’t need that backup_label file?” Well, you’re right. That is what I’m going to say. But do you know why you need that backup_label file? If you were to remove that backup_label file (or fail to create in the first place, in cases where that is your responsibility), what exactly is the bad thing that would happen to you?

Read on to learn what the file does, how you get it, and why it’s so important to keep around.