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-$PostgreSQL: pgsql/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml,v 1.132 2005/01/22 23:22:19 momjian Exp $
+$PostgreSQL: pgsql/doc/src/sgml/ref/psql-ref.sgml,v 1.133 2005/02/11 04:19:05 momjian Exp $
PostgreSQL documentation
-->
<term><option>-u</></term>
<listitem>
<para>
- Makes <application>psql</application> prompt for the user name and
+ Forces <application>psql</application> to prompt for the user name and
password before connecting to the database.
</para>
<term><option>--password</></term>
<listitem>
<para>
- Cause <application>psql</application> to prompt for a
- password before connecting to a database. This will remain set for
- the entire session, even if you change the database connection
- with the meta-command <command>\connect</command>.
+ Forces <application>psql</application> to prompt for a
+ password before connecting to a database.
</para>
<para>
- In the current version, <application>psql</application>
- automatically issues a password prompt whenever the server
- requests password authentication. Because this is currently based
- on a hack, the automatic recognition might mysteriously fail,
- hence this option to force a prompt. If no password prompt is
- issued and the server requires password authentication, the
- connection attempt will fail.
+ <application>psql</application> should automatically prompt for a
+ password whenever the server requests password authentication.
+ However, currently password request detection is not totally
+ reliable, hence this option to force a prompt. If no password
+ prompt is issued and the server requires password authentication,
+ the connection attempt will fail.
</para>
+
+ <para>
+ This option will remain set for the entire session, even if you
+ change the database connection with the meta-command
+ <command>\connect</command>.
+ </para>
+
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
some typing by setting the environment variables
<envar>PGDATABASE</envar>, <envar>PGHOST</envar>,
<envar>PGPORT</envar> and/or <envar>PGUSER</envar> to appropriate
- values.
+ values. (For additional environment variables, see <xref
+ linkend="libpq-envars">.) It is also convenient to have a
+ <filename>~/.pgpass</> file to avoid regularly having to type in
+ passwords. See <xref linkend="libpq-pgpass"> for more information.
</para>
<para>
<listitem>
<para>
- Default database to connect to
+ Default connection database
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>