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<para>

This release adds many improvements to commands and database

facilities that were requested by users. Rather than adding a

few new features, this release makes many features from previous

releases easier to use. For example,it is now much easier to

create standby point-in-time-recovery (PITR) servers. Many

facilities that were requested by users. Rather than adding

afew new features, this release makes many features from

previousreleases easier to use. For example,there are now

additional controls for continuous archiving. Many

performance bottlenecks have been eliminated, allowing more

functionality to be enabled by default. Various additions will

make porting from other databases easier. The changes in this

release continue the <productname>PostgreSQL</> tradition of

being not only the most advanced open source database, but also

the easiest to use.

functionality to be enabled by default. Various additions

willmake porting from other databases easier. The changes

in thisrelease continue the <productname>PostgreSQL</>

tradition ofbeing not only the most advanced open source

database, but alsothe easiest to use.

</para>

</sect2>

<listitem>

<para>

Allow a forced switch to a new xlog file (Simon Riggs, Tom)

Allow a forced switch to a new xlog file (Simon, Tom)

</para>

<para>

This is valuable for keeping<acronym>PITR</> standby

serversin sync with the master. xlog file switching also

happensautomatically during <function>pg_stop_backup()</>.

Thisensures that<acronym>PITR</> servers have all xlog

This is valuable for keepingcontinuous archiving servers

in sync with the master. xlog file switching also happens

automatically during <function>pg_stop_backup()</>. This

ensures thatcontinuous archiving servers have all xlog

files needed for recovery.

</para>

</listitem>

<listitem>

<para>

Add <acronym>WAL</> informational functions (Simon Riggs)

Add <acronym>WAL</> informational functions (Simon)

</para>

<para>

<listitem>

<para>

Allow <acronym>WAL</> replay to be restored quicker in case

of a crash (Simon Riggs)

of a crash (Simon)

</para>

<para>

The server now does periodic checkpoints during <acronym>WAL</>

recovery, so if there is a crash, future <acronym>WAL</>

recovery is shortened. This also eliminates the need for

<acronym>PITR</> standby servers to replay the entire log

since thebase backup if they crash.

continuous archive servers to replay the entire log since the

base backup if they crash.

</para>

</listitem>

<listitem>

<para>

Add <varname>archive_timeout</> to force xlog file switches

at a given interval (Simon Riggs)

at a given interval (Simon)

</para>

<para>

This enforces a maximum delay for <acronym>PITR</> standby

servers.

This enforces a maximum delay for continuous archive servers.

</para>

</listitem>