How to use a custom pg data directory

[begriffs]

Why are we implementing it? (sales eng)

What are the typical use cases?

When installing on Ubuntu and other systems, it creates a cluster in a weird system directory.

Communication goals (e.g. detailed howto vs orientation)

Let people know they can use initdb wherever they like.

Good locations for content in docs structure

How does this work? (devs)

Example sql

Corner cases, gotchas

Are there relevant blog posts or outside documentation about the concept/feature?

• https://dba.stackexchange.com/questions/197809/changing-data-directory-for-postgres-on-centos
• Also Louise may have some extra details.

Link to relevant commits and regression tests if applicable

[begriffs]

Is the intention here to change the location of the "system" database, or just to make a separate database for citus?

On RHEL I'm having trouble getting postgresql-11-setup to respect either the PGDATA or PGSETUP_INITDB_OPTIONS environment variables to make it initdb into a different directory. As I read the script itself it appears to be a bug.

@louiseGrandjonc do you know more about why people want to move the database installation, or a nice way to configure it?