Show the current parameter value

Command

SELECT name, setting, unit, context, source FROM pg_settings WHERE name = 'shared_buffers';

What it does

Shows the parameter's effective value, unit, how it can be applied (context) and its source.

When to use it

To find a parameter's running value and whether it requires a restart or a reload.

Caution

Shortcut: SHOW shared_buffers; or SELECT current_setting('shared_buffers'); If the context column is 'postmaster', a restart is required.