[GENERAL] Commands history with psql in a Windows command line shell

[Lmhelp1]

Hello,

I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).

Below is the command I use to connect to a database with "psql":
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>

My problem is the following.
Suppose I enter one command:
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
and then another one:
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve these
last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.

To try to solve the problem, I entered the command:
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.

Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the commands
history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set HISTSIZE 100" and
maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work again.

Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?

Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot

[Melvin Davidson]

Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide us
with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL version and
O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.

Post by Lmhelp1
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve these
last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the commands
history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a
"psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general

[Lmhelp1]

Thank you for your answer.

cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2

Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.

Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

[David G. Johnston]

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide us
with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL version and
O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.

"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.

Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).

David J.

[Melvin Davidson]

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston <

Post by David G. Johnston

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide us
with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL version and
O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.

"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.
Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).
David J.

Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT

The following may be pertinent.

If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not used.

What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history supported?

What is the value for HISTFILE?

[Lmhelp1]

Thank you for your answer.

1.
Like I wrote in my first post, the command I use to launch "psql" is:
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.

2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation

Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation

To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.

3.
When I do:
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.

Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT
The following may be pertinent.
If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not used.
What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history supported?
What is the value for HISTFILE?
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston
<***@gmail.com <mailto:***@gmail.com>>wrote:
On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:31 AM, Melvin Davidson <***@gmail.com
<mailto:***@gmail.com>> wrote:

Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.


"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.

Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).

David J.

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you for your answer.
cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2
Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work
again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

[Adrian Klaver]

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you for your answer.
1.
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.
2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.
3.
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.

What happens if you use the SQL Shell from the program menu on the Start
Menu?:

http://www.enterprisedb.com/resources-community/tutorials-quickstarts/windows/getting-started-postgres-plus-tutorial-windows

Post by Lmhelp1
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

[Lmhelp1]

Thank you for your answer.

With the "SQL Shell" tool, the commands history is indeed available!
So, I guess I am now going to use this tool instead of "cmd.exe".
This solves my problem.

Thank you and best regards.
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Adrian Klaver
What happens if you use the SQL Shell from the program menu on the
http://www.enterprisedb.com/resources-community/tutorials-quickstarts/windows/getting-started-postgres-plus-tutorial-windows
Thank you for your answer.
1.
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.
2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.
3.
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT
The following may be pertinent.
If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not used.
What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history supported?
What is the value for HISTFILE?
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you
provide us with a little more useful information like current
PostgreSQL version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.
Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).
David J.

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you for your answer.
cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2
Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work
again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
Sent via pgsql-general mailing list
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

[Adrian Klaver]

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you for your answer.
With the "SQL Shell" tool, the commands history is indeed available!
So, I guess I am now going to use this tool instead of "cmd.exe".
This solves my problem.

Or look at the properties of the menu item and see what is done to
enable history.

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you and best regards.
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Adrian Klaver
What happens if you use the SQL Shell from the program menu on the
http://www.enterprisedb.com/resources-community/tutorials-quickstarts/windows/getting-started-postgres-plus-tutorial-windows
Thank you for your answer.
1.
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.
2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.
3.
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT
The following may be pertinent.
If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not used.
What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history supported?
What is the value for HISTFILE?
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you
provide us with a little more useful information like current
PostgreSQL version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.
Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).
David J.

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you for your answer.
cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2
Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work
again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
Sent via pgsql-general mailing list
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

[Lmhelp1]

Thank you for your answer.

I can't see any difference.
In "Properties", there is an entry "Command History" with two fields
"Buffer size" set to 50 and "Number of Buffers" set to 4.
These settings are exactly the same in "cmd.exe" and "SQL Shell"...

Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Adrian Klaver

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you for your answer.
With the "SQL Shell" tool, the commands history is indeed available!
So, I guess I am now going to use this tool instead of "cmd.exe".
This solves my problem.

Or look at the properties of the menu item and see what is done to
enable history.

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you and best regards.
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Adrian Klaver
What happens if you use the SQL Shell from the program menu on the
http://www.enterprisedb.com/resources-community/tutorials-quickstarts/windows/getting-started-postgres-plus-tutorial-windows
Thank you for your answer.
1.
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.
2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.
3.
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT
The following may be pertinent.
If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not used.
What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history
supported?
What is the value for HISTFILE?
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you
provide us with a little more useful information like current
PostgreSQL version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.
Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).
David J.

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you for your answer.
cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2
Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work
again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
Sent via pgsql-general mailing list
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

[Tom Lane]

Post by Lmhelp1
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation

This means you have a copy of psql.exe that was built without the readline
library, so history doesn't work either. I'm not sure what the state of
the readline library is for Windows; there may not be any version that
works well.

regards, tom lane

[Lmhelp1]

Thank you for this note.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Tom Lane

Post by Lmhelp1
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation

This means you have a copy of psql.exe that was built without the readline
library, so history doesn't work either. I'm not sure what the state of
the readline library is for Windows; there may not be any version that
works well.
regards, tom lane
Thank you for your answer.
I can't see any difference.
In "Properties", there is an entry "Command History" with two fields
"Buffer size" set to 50 and "Number of Buffers" set to 4.
These settings are exactly the same in "cmd.exe" and "SQL Shell"...
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Lmhelp1

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you for your answer.
With the "SQL Shell" tool, the commands history is indeed available!
So, I guess I am now going to use this tool instead of "cmd.exe".
This solves my problem.

Or look at the properties of the menu item and see what is done to
enable history.

Post by Lmhelp1
Thank you and best regards.
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Adrian Klaver
What happens if you use the SQL Shell from the program menu on the
http://www.enterprisedb.com/resources-community/tutorials-quickstarts/windows/getting-started-postgres-plus-tutorial-windows
Thank you for your answer.
1.
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
So, I do not specify the "--no-readline" option.
2.
cmd.exe psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
Powershell psql <database_name># \s
history is not supported by this installation
To install PostgreSQL, I used the "postgresql-9.5.2-1-windows-x64.exe"
installer the 2016/04/21.
So I don't remember much about what I did that day.
3.
psql <database_name># \set
HISTFILE does not appear in the result.
So, I guess it is not set.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you, Based on
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/static/app-psql.html#APP-PSQL-ENVIRONMENT
The following may be pertinent.
If -n / --no-readline was specified, then command history is not
used.
What happens if you issue the \s command in psql? Is history
supported?
What is the value for HISTFILE?
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.

On Tue, Aug 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM, David G. Johnston
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you
provide us with a little more useful information like current
PostgreSQL version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
"Windows (8.1)" refers to the O/S version.
Knowing the PostgreSQL version probably won't make a difference though
knowing how it was installed might (though not for me personally).
David J.

Post by Melvin Davidson
Thank you for your answer.
cmd.exe> psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.5.2
Like I wrote, the Windows OS is 8.1 Pro.
Best regards,
--
Léa Massiot

Post by Melvin Davidson
Are you doing this in PostgreSQL 7.3 and Windows XP? Can you provide
us with a little more useful information like current PostgreSQL
version and O/S?
Otherwise we have absolutely no idea what the problem might be.
Hello,
I am using "psql" in "cmd.exe" in Windows (8.1).
cmd.exe> psql -p <tcp_port> -U <username> <database_name>
My problem is the following.
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_1>;
<database_name># SELECT * FROM <a_table_2>;
The commands history "is not working": meaning I cannot retrieve
these last two commands I entered by hitting the top arrow key.
Instead, I have to type them again.
<database_name># \set HISTSIZE 100
but it didn't change anything.
Yesterday, I don't remember what I did, but I could access the
commands history using Powershell, maybe the command "\set
HISTSIZE 100" and maybe a "psqlrc" file.
But whatever I've been trying to do since, I can't make it work
again.
Can you please advise me what to do to make this work?
Best regards.
--
Léa Massiot
--
Sent via pgsql-general mailing list
http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
--
*Melvin Davidson*
I reserve the right to fantasize. Whether or not you
wish to share my fantasy is entirely up to you.