How to create Postgres database containing dot in it's name?

Question

I am trying to create the Postgres database using the terminal,

Normally we can create the database like

CREATE DATABASE mydatabase;

but I wanted to create with the database with a dot. like

CREATE DATABASE my.database;

I was trying to escape the characters. but it doesn't work

CREATE DATABASE my.\database;

CREATE DATABASE my\.database;

as an expected output, it should create the database named my.database

CREATE DATABASE "my.database";. But since . is used as seperator for schemas, tables, columns etc. this will probably lead to problems down the road. — madflow, Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 10:23
"How to create Postgres database containing dot in it's name?" indeed @madflow sounds like trouble as it looks like the topicstarter is trying to emulate namespaces from Java or something like that ...CREATE DATABASE "com.domain.type", CREATE DATABASE "com.domain.type.sub_type"..... — Raymond Nijland, Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 10:31

Atul Arvind · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-23 10:25:35Z

7

you should create the database using

create database "my.database";

answered Oct 23, 2019 at 10:25

Atul Arvind

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6

Should be followed by "but don't because it's a terrible idea".
– 404
Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 10:26
@404 with the why it is a terrible one.
– ntdash
Commented Oct 13, 2023 at 22:47
4

@ntdash Because the . is used to separate the table name from schema, or column from table. For example, SELECT * FROM schema1.table1 or SELECT a.id, b.val FROM (some join). You'll also never be able to use the table without quoting it. While it may not be illegal to have a dot in a table name, you're setting yourself and anyone else working on the codebase up for constant confusion, bugs, and hopefully hate in your direction for such a stupid decision.
– 404
Commented Oct 14, 2023 at 9:37

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