nixos/postgresql: document difference between postgresql.target and postgresql.service

  "module-services-postgres-upstream-deviation": [

    "index.html#module-services-postgres-upstream-deviation"

  ],

  "module-services-postgresql-target-vs-service": [

    "index.html#module-services-postgresql-target-vs-service"

  ],

  "module-services-foundationdb": [

    "index.html#module-services-foundationdb"

  ],

When using extensions that are not packaged in `nixpkgs`, hardening adjustments may

become necessary.

## `postgresql.service` vs `postgresql.target` {#module-services-postgresql-target-vs-service}

In order to delay a service's startup until the local PostgreSQL instance is up, one usually uses a combination of `wants`/`after`, i.e.

```nix

{

  systemd.services.myservice = {

    wants = [ "postgresql.target" ];

    after = [ "postgresql.target" ];

  };

}

```

::: {.note}

`wants` makes sure that `postgresql.target` is being started when `myservice.service` is started.

If it's necessary to restart `myservice` when `postgresql.target` gets restarted and `myservice.service` fails to start if `postgresql.service` fails to start, use `requires` instead.

See also {manpage}`systemd.unit(5)`.

:::

It's also possible to wait for `postgresql.service` instead, however that has a slightly different meaning:

* `postgresql.service` is `active` if the database is __at least__ in read-only mode.

* `postgresql.target` is `active` if the database is either in __read-write__ mode or a standby server.

This is implemented by making `postgresql.target` wait for `postgresql-setup.service` which waits for the database to be fully up and applies the changes necessary for `ensureUsers`.

Restarting `postgresql.service` by hand also triggers a restart of `postgresql.target`.

## Notable differences to upstream {#module-services-postgres-upstream-deviation}

- To avoid circular dependencies between default and -dev outputs, the output of the `pg_config` system view has been removed.