PostgreSQL 7.3.4 Documentation
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# SHOW

## Name

SHOW -- show the value of a run-time parameter

## Synopsis

    SHOW name

    SHOW ALL

### Inputs

name

  The name of a run-time parameter. See SET for a list.

ALL

  Show all current session parameters.

## Description

`SHOW` will display the current setting of a run-time parameter. These variables can be set using the `SET` statement, by editing the `postgresql.conf`, through the `PGOPTIONS` environmental variable, or through a command-line flag when starting the postmaster.

Even with autocommit set to off, `SHOW` does not start a new transaction block. See the autocommit section of the Administrator's Guide for details.

## Diagnostics

`ERROR: Option 'name' is not recognized`

  Message returned if name does not stand for an existing parameter.

## Examples

Show the current DateStyle setting:

    SHOW DateStyle;
                   DateStyle
    ---------------------------------------
     ISO with US (NonEuropean) conventions
    (1 row)

Show the current genetic optimizer (geqo) setting:

    SHOW GEQO;
     geqo
    ------
     on
    (1 row)

Show all settings:

    SHOW ALL;
                 name              |                setting
    -------------------------------+---------------------------------------
     australian_timezones          | off
     authentication_timeout        | 60
     checkpoint_segments           | 3
        .
        .
        .
     wal_debug                     | 0
     wal_sync_method               | fdatasync
    (94 rows)

## Compatibility

The `SHOW` command is a PostgreSQL extension.

## See Also

The function `current_setting` produces equivalent output. See Miscellaneous Functions in the PostgreSQL User's Guide.

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