Find all postgresql and mysql databases on a system

Question

Is there a way to find all postgresql and mysql databases on my system? (Perhaps using the find command).

Do you search versions like postgresql-8.3, postgresql-8.5, etc. or do you search where the data is stored? — user unknown, Mar 29 '12 at 18:15

manatwork · Answer 1 · 2012-03-29 14:54:29Z

up vote 2 down vote

If the database servers are running, ask them:

psql -l

mysql <<< 'show databases'

Just searching the filesystem for relational databases is not a trivial task.

answered Mar 29 '12 at 14:54

manatwork
11.5k13957

+1 Considering that some relational databases may not even use an FS. :) – Karlson Mar 29 '12 at 14:58

Thanks, but actually I want to know how to search the FS for relational databases. – student Mar 29 '12 at 15:12

user unknown · Answer 2 · 2012-03-29 18:19:45Z

On my system, the files for postgresql 8.4 are installed in:

 sudo ls -l /etc/postgresql/8.4/main/pgdata/base/
 sudo ls -l /var/lib/postgresql/8.4/main/base

where /etc contains a symbolic link to /var/lib.

You need sudo permissions to watch these directories.

2 Answers 2