Re: Improving GUC prefix ownership for extensions

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Zsolt Parragi <zsolt(dot)parragi(at)percona(dot)com>
wrote:

> > Do we really want the grief of making it mandatory?
>
> I didn't suggest making it mandatory - the current patch I attached is
> completely opt-in (default setting is exactly how it works currently,
> DBAs have to opt in by changing it).
>
> My reasoning for making the warning the default is to encourage
> extension developers to properly reserve GUC prefixes, without causing
> compatibility problems for users - but I'm not sure about that, that's
> why I submitted the patch with "off" default.
>

The fact users can set this to strict effectively makes variable
registration mandatory for extension authors, not merely “encouragement”,
IMO. That’s a decent step-up from “protect thyself” to “user-mandated”.

I’m just not seeing enough benefit here to provoke three-way discussions
between users, extension authors, and ourselves. Rather leave well-enough
alone given current information about the community’s experiences in this
realm.

David J.