What are PostgreSQL Templates?

AI summary

PostgreSQL databases are created by cloning a template database, typically template1. This article explains how to define custom template databases to propagate schemas and configurations to new databases without modifying default system templates.

Key points

• Every new PostgreSQL database is created by copying an existing template database.
• Modifying the system-default template1 is discouraged; users should instead create and mark custom databases as templates using 'ALTER DATABASE ... IS_TEMPLATE TRUE'.
• Template databases allow for consistent pre-configuration, including extensions and procedural languages.
• New databases cannot be created from a template if there are active connections to that template database.
• template0 serves as a read-only fallback database that maintains the cluster's original configuration.