Arch Linux

Description:
When stopping PostgreSQL using the rc script, the default "smart" shutdown method is used, and PostgreSQL waits for all clients to disconnect. However, if this occurs at shutdown, waiting for clients to disconnect is usually overkill, as the services which relied on the database (e.g. http server) will already have been shut down. What's more, if pg_ctl gives up waiting (this happens most times on my server), the shutdown sequence continues, and PostgreSQL ends up getting TERMed.

The solution is to use the "fast" shutdown method, which closes client connections immediately and shuts down PostgreSQL cleanly. This can be added using the "-m fast" switch to the pg_ctl line in the rc script. I think this behaviour is closer to what is expected from an rc script. Smart shutdowns can still be carried out manually, using pg_ctl.

Additional info:
* 9.0.3-1