Tom Lane wrote:
>> - Shouldn't there be an error, some kind of 'missing magic
>> number' or similar, when a table file consists of only
>> zeros?
>
> The particular case of an all-zeroes page is specifically allowed,
> and has to be because it's a valid transient state in various
> scenarios.
I see, that was a pathological case.
>> - Wouldn't it be desirable to have some means to verify the
>> integrity of a table file or a whole database?
>
> SELECT * usually does reasonably well at that.
Would it be an option to have a checksum somewhere in each
data block that is verified upon read?
Would this be a lot of work to add? I'd be willing to try it
if it is desirable and feasible.
Yours,
Laurenz Albe
---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq
