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In addition to saving data in text format, PostgreSQL can also save COPY output in
its own binary format. This is the format compiled programs are stored in, which is not readable by normal text
editors.
The PostgreSQL binary file header contains 24 bytes of fixed fields, and a variable length header extension area.
The fixed fields are as follows:
- Signature Field
-
A 12-byte sequence, which is literally: PGBCOPY\n\377\r\n\0
The signature is used to identify files that are malformed through a non-8-bit-clean transfer; it is changed by
dropped NULL values, parity changes, newline translation filters, and dropped high
bits.
- Integer Layout Field
-
A 32-byte integer constant (0x01020304) in the source's byte order. This
is to assist an application reading this file format in preventing byte-flipping of multi-byte values.
- Flags Field
-
A 32-bit integer, which is the main storage point for file formatting information. Within this field, bits
are ordered from 0 (least significant byte, or LSB) to 31 (most significant byte, or MSB). To hold
backwards-compatibility formatting information, bits 0 through 15 are reserved. Bits 16 through 31 are used to flag
critical file formatting information. As of 7.1.x, the only bit here that has a definition is bit 16.
- BIT 16
-
If bit 16 is set to 1, object IDs are included in the file.
If bit 16 is set to 0, object IDs are
not
included.
- Header Extension Length Field
-
A 32-bit integer describing the length, in bytes, of the remainder of the header (not including the header
extension length field). In earlier versions, this was set to zero, and the first tuple immediately followed.
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