</para>

<para>

When waiting for startup, <command>pg_ctl</command> repeatedly

attempts to connect to the server.

When waiting for shutdown, <command>pg_ctl</command> waits for

the server to remove its <acronym>PID</acronym> file.

When waiting, <command>pg_ctl</command> repeatedly checks the

server's <acronym>PID</acronym> file, sleeping for a short amount

of time between checks. Startup is considered complete when

the <acronym>PID</acronym> file indicates that the server is ready to

accept connections. Shutdown is considered complete when the server

removes the <acronym>PID</acronym> file.

<command>pg_ctl</command> returns an exit code based on the

success of the startup or shutdown.

</para>