Re: glob support in extension_control_path/dynamic_library_path?

David E. Wheeler <david@justatheory.com>

From: "David E. Wheeler" <david@justatheory.com>
To: Jakob Egger <jakob@eggerapps.at>
Cc: pgsql-hackers@postgresql.org, Tobias Bussmann <t.bussmann@gmx.net>
Date: 2026-05-29T21:36:57Z
Lists: pgsql-hackers
On May 29, 2026, at 14:26, Jakob Egger <jakob@eggerapps.at> wrote:

> It would be really nice if we could just use glob patterns like this:
> 
> extension_control_path="$system:/Users/jakob/Library/Application Support/Postgres/Extensions/18/*/share/postgresql"
> dynamic_library_path="$libdir:/Users/jakob/Library/Application Support/Postgres/Extensions/18/*/lib/postgresql"
> 
> This would also have the advantage of not requiring a server restart after installing an extension.

Somehow a glob never occurred to me. 🤦🏻

> I believe this would also be useful for Docker use case mentioned in the original thread (https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/E7C7BFFB-8857-48D4-A71F-88B359FADCFD%40justatheory.com) when multiple extensions are used

Indeed.

> I have tried implementing this patch myself, and it was pretty straightforward to implement a proof of concept.
> 
> I wonder if such an addition would be useful for other packagers?

Me too! I had been planning to propose a new directory layout, but a glob is a much simpler solution.

D