LOAD(7)

💅 LOAD(7) — the PostgreSQL 13.23 glow-up edition ✨

okay so bestie, welcome to LOAD(7) from the PostgreSQL 13.23 docs 🎀 this one's short but she's iconic, let's get into it 🫶

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🌸 NAME 🌸

LOAD — load a shared library file, no cap 💖

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✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

LOAD 'filename'

that's it. that's the whole vibe check. 🦋

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💜 DESCRIPTION 💜

okay so here's the tea ☕ — this command loads a shared library file straight into the PostgreSQL server's address space. literally just yeets it in there. 🚀

if the file has already been loaded, the command does nothing. like, doesn't even blink. it's giving "been there, done that, already in memory" 💅

now, shared library files that contain C functions get loaded automatically whenever one of their functions is called — the server handles that for you, no manual needed, periodt ✨. therefore, an explicit LOAD is usually only needed when you're loading a library that modifies the server's behavior through "hooks" rather than providing a set of functions. hooks are the main character here, iykyk 👑

the library file name is typically given as just a bare file name — and that get searched for in the server's library search path, which is set by dynamic_library_path. alternatively, you can hand over a full path name instead. either way works bestie, the server's flexible like that 🌈

and in either case, the platform's standard shared library file name extension may be omitted. fancy, right? for more info on this whole topic, go peek at Section 37.10.1 📖

🚨 important bestie alert: non-superusers can only apply LOAD to library files located in $libdir/plugins/ — meaning the specified filename must begin with exactly that string. no wiggle room. and btw, it is the database administrator's responsibility to ensure that only "safe" libraries are installed there 🙈 so like, keep an eye on that, fr fr.

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🔥 COMPATIBILITY 🔥

LOAD is a PostgreSQL extension. that's it, that's the whole section 💀 she's a homegrown icon.

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👀 SEE ALSO 👀

• CREATE FUNCTION (CREATE_FUNCTION(7))

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and that's the page bestie!! 🍓 slay, you read the whole thing 💖

with love from the PostgreSQL 13.23 docs, dated 2025 — mwah 💋