---
name: "initlocation"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "postgresql"
version: "7.4.7-6sarge6"
release: "Debian 3.1 (Sarge)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/initlocation"
---

# initlocation(1)

create a secondary PostgreSQL database storage area

## NAME

initlocation - create a secondary PostgreSQL database storage area

## SYNOPSIS

**initlocation** *directory*

## DESCRIPTION

**initlocation**  creates a new PostgreSQL secondary database storage area. See the discussion under CREATE DATABASE \[[**create\_database**(7)](/create_database/7.md)\] about how to manage and use secondary storage areas. If the argument does not contain a slash and is not valid as a path, it is assumed to be an environment variable, which is referenced. See the examples at the end.

In order to use this command you must be logged in (using **su**, for example) as the database superuser.

## EXAMPLES

To create a database in an alternate location, using an environment variable:

```
$ export PGDATA2=/opt/postgres/data

```

Stop and start **postmaster** so it sees the **PGDATA2** environment variable. The system must be configured so the **postmaster** sees **PGDATA2** every time it starts. Finally:

```
$ initlocation PGDATA2
$ createdb -D PGDATA2 testdb

```

Alternatively, if you allow absolute paths you could write:

```
$ initlocation /opt/postgres/data
$ createdb -D /opt/postgres/data/testdb testdb

```