Dangerous: rm -rf /var/lib/postgresql/16/main

Dangerous

rm -rf /var/lib/postgresql/16/main

linux · bash · Beginner

Recursively deletes the PostgreSQL data directory for a major version. The cluster's tables, indexes, and write-ahead log all live under this path, so the databases go with it and reinstalling the package will not bring them back.

Signals to notice

rm -rf against the directory holding live database files
the data directory is not recreated by reinstalling the package

Think you can spot these under time pressure?

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