How to connect to PostgreSQL from the command line

This article describes how to connect to a PostgreSQL database from the command line using the psql program. You can use the psql program as a quick and easy way to access your databases directly.

Connecting to PostgreSQL from the command line

To connect to PostgreSQL from the command line, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your A2 Hosting account using SSH.
2. At the command line, type the following command. Replace DBNAME with the name of the database, and USERNAME with the database username:

   psql DBNAME USERNAME

3. At the Password prompt, type the database user's password. When you type the correct password, the psql prompt appears.

4. After you access a PostgreSQL database, you can run SQL queries and more. Here are some common psql commands:
   

   • To view help for psql commands, type \?.
   • To view help for SQL commands, type \h.
   • To view information about the current database connection, type \conninfo.
   • To list the database's tables and their respective owners, type \dt.
   • To list all of the tables, views, and sequences in the database, type \z.
   • To exit the psql program, type \q.

More Information

• To view the online documentation for psql in PostgreSQL 8.4, please visit http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/app-psql.html.
• To view the online documentation for psql in PostgreSQL 9.1, please visit http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/app-psql.html.