In our organization, junior database developers are learning PostgreSQL, and they require a sample database from our Validation Database Server.

In this scenario, Database Administrator takes PostgreSQL backup using pg_dump utility and restore that dump into the development environment.

A pg_dump is a PostgreSQL utility which is used for PostgreSQL database backup and restore.

Another option is, directly copy the database from one server to another server using pg_dump + psql. In this scenario, Database Administrator does not require any intermediate database backup file.

Open your windows command prompt and go to \PostgreSQL\bin directory where you can execute and test below two different commands.

Copy database from one server to another server (using, pg_dump | psql):

pg_dump -h host1 dbname | psql -h host2 dbname

Copy database, Using pg_dump utility for backup and restore:

Take full database backup:

pg_dump -U username database_name > filepath\backup.sql

Restore database backup:

pg_dump -U username database_name < filepath\backup.sql

PostgreSQL: File System Level Backup to just Copy DATA Directory

IIn this post, I am sharing a script to make a copy of the PostgreSQL database.

We can also create copies of the database using the pgAdmin tool, but I always preferred to use and create SQL script to perform the Database Administrator related activities.

In the development environment, I am following a practice that after every release of the sprint, I take backup of the database and as well as create the previous version of the database.

If any user wants to check existing functionality in the previous version, they can test with an old version of the database.

Below is a script to make a copy of an existing database:

CREATE DATABASE newDB WITH TEMPLATE oldDB OWNER dbUser;

After executing this,
If you get any error, you should kill all the running sessions of that existing database.

ERROR:  source database "originaldb" is being accessed by other users

You can use below script to kill all running sessions:
You can also visit this article.

SELECT pg_terminate_backend(pg_stat_activity.pid)
FROM pg_stat_activity
WHERE datname = 'datbase_name'
  AND pid <> pg_backend_pid();