From: Tom Lane <tgl@sss.pgh.pa.us>
To: Bruce Momjian <bruce@momjian.us>
cc: colinthart@gmail.com, pgsql-docs@lists.postgresql.org
Subject: Re: Which parameters are only used on startup?
In-reply-to: <aUne5_ndL8nYU3aW@momjian.us>
References: <176414965817.802.9539749613450037479@wrigleys.postgresql.org>
 <aUne5_ndL8nYU3aW@momjian.us>
Comments: In-reply-to Bruce Momjian <bruce@momjian.us>
	message dated "Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:14:31 -0500"
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Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:29:10 -0500
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Bruce Momjian <bruce@momjian.us> writes:
> On Wed, Nov 26, 2025 at 09:34:18AM +0000, PG Doc comments form wrote:
>> Clarify that ssl_cert_file and ssl_key_file are only read on startup --
>> implying that the params can be changed and the files moved to the new
>> location/name without requiring a restart. Of course a restart is good to
>> validate that the params and files are configured correctly.

> The docs say that you can only change this in postgresql.conf or on the
> command line.  Changes to postgresql.conf requires pg_ctl reload or
> something similar.

The actual problem with this change request is that it's wrong.
We've supported changing ssl_cert_file --- either the GUC value
or the file contents --- via "pg_ctl reload" or equivalent for
years now (cf. commits de41869b6, 6667d9a6d).  So I don't see
anything wrong with the docs text as it stands.

			regards, tom lane