summaryrefslogtreecommitdiffstats
path: root/doc/src/sgml/html/protocol-message-formats.html
blob: 6c01814ff915f32352bdcf8d962f13b03d3a85ab (plain)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /><title>55.7. Message Formats</title><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" /><link rev="made" href="pgsql-docs@lists.postgresql.org" /><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets Vsnapshot" /><link rel="prev" href="protocol-message-types.html" title="55.6. Message Data Types" /><link rel="next" href="protocol-error-fields.html" title="55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields" /></head><body id="docContent" class="container-fluid col-10"><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header"><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">55.7. Message Formats</th></tr><tr><td width="10%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="protocol-message-types.html" title="55.6. Message Data Types">Prev</a> </td><td width="10%" align="left"><a accesskey="u" href="protocol.html" title="Chapter 55. Frontend/Backend Protocol">Up</a></td><th width="60%" align="center">Chapter 55. Frontend/Backend Protocol</th><td width="10%" align="right"><a accesskey="h" href="index.html" title="PostgreSQL 15.5 Documentation">Home</a></td><td width="10%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="protocol-error-fields.html" title="55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields">Next</a></td></tr></table><hr /></div><div class="sect1" id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both">55.7. Message Formats</h2></div></div></div><p>
   This section describes the detailed format of each message.  Each is marked to
   indicate that it can be sent by a frontend (F), a backend (B), or both
   (F &amp; B).
   Notice that although each message includes a byte count at the beginning,
   the message format is defined so that the message end can be found without
   reference to the byte count.  This aids validity checking.  (The CopyData
   message is an exception, because it forms part of a data stream; the contents
   of any individual CopyData message cannot be interpretable on their own.)
  </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONOK"><span class="term">AuthenticationOk (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(0)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that the authentication was successful.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONKERBEROSV5"><span class="term">AuthenticationKerberosV5 (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(2)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that Kerberos V5 authentication is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONCLEARTEXTPASSWORD"><span class="term">AuthenticationCleartextPassword (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(3)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that a clear-text password is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONMD5PASSWORD"><span class="term">AuthenticationMD5Password (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(12)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(5)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that an MD5-encrypted password is required.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte4</span></dt><dd><p>
         The salt to use when encrypting the password.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONSCMCREDENTIAL"><span class="term">AuthenticationSCMCredential (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(6)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that an SCM credentials message is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONGSS"><span class="term">AuthenticationGSS (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(7)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that GSSAPI authentication is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONGSSCONTINUE"><span class="term">AuthenticationGSSContinue (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that this message contains GSSAPI or SSPI data.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         GSSAPI or SSPI authentication data.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONSSPI"><span class="term">AuthenticationSSPI (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(9)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that SSPI authentication is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONSASL"><span class="term">AuthenticationSASL (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(10)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that SASL authentication is required.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      The message body is a list of SASL authentication mechanisms, in the
      server's order of preference. A zero byte is required as terminator after
      the last authentication mechanism name. For each mechanism, there is the
      following:

      </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
          Name of a SASL authentication mechanism.
         </p></dd></dl></div><p>
     </p></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONSASLCONTINUE"><span class="term">AuthenticationSASLContinue (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(11)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that this message contains a SASL challenge.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         SASL data, specific to the SASL mechanism being used.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-AUTHENTICATIONSASLFINAL"><span class="term">AuthenticationSASLFinal (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('R')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an authentication request.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(12)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies that SASL authentication has completed.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         SASL outcome "additional data", specific to the SASL mechanism
         being used.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-BACKENDKEYDATA"><span class="term">BackendKeyData (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('K')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as cancellation key data.
         The frontend must save these values if it wishes to be
         able to issue CancelRequest messages later.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(12)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The process ID of this backend.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The secret key of this backend.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-BIND"><span class="term">Bind (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('B')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Bind command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the destination portal
         (an empty string selects the unnamed portal).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the source prepared statement
         (an empty string selects the unnamed prepared statement).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of parameter format codes that follow
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em> below).
         This can be zero to indicate that there are no parameters
         or that the parameters all use the default format (text);
         or one, in which case the specified format code is applied
         to all parameters; or it can equal the actual number of
         parameters.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The parameter format codes.  Each must presently be
         zero (text) or one (binary).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of parameter values that follow (possibly zero).
         This must match the number of parameters needed by the query.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Next, the following pair of fields appear for each parameter:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The length of the parameter value, in bytes (this count
         does not include itself).  Can be zero.
         As a special case, -1 indicates a NULL parameter value.
         No value bytes follow in the NULL case.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         The value of the parameter, in the format indicated by the
         associated format code.
         <em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em> is the above length.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      After the last parameter, the following fields appear:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of result-column format codes that follow
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>R</code></em> below).
         This can be zero to indicate that there are no result columns
         or that the result columns should all use the default format
         (text);
         or one, in which case the specified format code is applied
         to all result columns (if any); or it can equal the actual
         number of result columns of the query.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>R</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The result-column format codes.  Each must presently be
         zero (text) or one (binary).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-BINDCOMPLETE"><span class="term">BindComplete (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('2')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Bind-complete indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-CANCELREQUEST"><span class="term">CancelRequest (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32(16)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(80877102)</span></dt><dd><p>
         The cancel request code.  The value is chosen to contain
         <code class="literal">1234</code> in the most significant 16 bits, and <code class="literal">5678</code> in the
         least significant 16 bits.  (To avoid confusion, this code
         must not be the same as any protocol version number.)
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The process ID of the target backend.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The secret key for the target backend.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-CLOSE"><span class="term">Close (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('C')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Close command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte1</span></dt><dd><p>
         '<code class="literal">S</code>' to close a prepared statement; or
         '<code class="literal">P</code>' to close a portal.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the prepared statement or portal to close
         (an empty string selects the unnamed prepared statement
         or portal).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-CLOSECOMPLETE"><span class="term">CloseComplete (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('3')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Close-complete indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COMMANDCOMPLETE"><span class="term">CommandComplete (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('C')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a command-completed response.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
        The command tag.  This is usually a single
        word that identifies which SQL command was completed.
       </p><p>
        For an <code class="command">INSERT</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">INSERT <em class="replaceable"><code>oid</code></em>
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code>, where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows
        inserted. <em class="replaceable"><code>oid</code></em> used to be the object ID
        of the inserted row if <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> was 1
        and the target table had OIDs, but OIDs system columns are
        not supported anymore; therefore <em class="replaceable"><code>oid</code></em>
        is always 0.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">DELETE</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">DELETE <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows deleted.
       </p><p>
        For an <code class="command">UPDATE</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">UPDATE <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows updated.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">MERGE</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">MERGE <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows inserted,
        updated, or deleted.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">SELECT</code> or <code class="command">CREATE TABLE AS</code>
        command, the tag is <code class="literal">SELECT <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code>
        where <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows retrieved.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">MOVE</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">MOVE <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows the
        cursor's position has been changed by.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">FETCH</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">FETCH <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows that
        have been retrieved from the cursor.
       </p><p>
        For a <code class="command">COPY</code> command, the tag is
        <code class="literal">COPY <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em></code> where
        <em class="replaceable"><code>rows</code></em> is the number of rows copied.
        (Note: the row count appears only in
        <span class="productname">PostgreSQL</span> 8.2 and later.)
       </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYDATA"><span class="term">CopyData (F &amp; B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('d')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as <code class="command">COPY</code> data.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         Data that forms part of a <code class="command">COPY</code> data stream.  Messages sent
         from the backend will always correspond to single data rows,
         but messages sent by frontends might divide the data stream
         arbitrarily.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYDONE"><span class="term">CopyDone (F &amp; B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('c')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a <code class="command">COPY</code>-complete indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYFAIL"><span class="term">CopyFail (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('f')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a <code class="command">COPY</code>-failure indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         An error message to report as the cause of failure.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYINRESPONSE"><span class="term">CopyInResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('G')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Start Copy In response.
         The frontend must now send copy-in data (if not
         prepared to do so, send a CopyFail message).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int8</span></dt><dd><p>
         0 indicates the overall <code class="command">COPY</code> format is textual (rows
         separated by newlines, columns separated by separator
         characters, etc.).
         1 indicates the overall copy format is binary (similar
         to DataRow format).
         See <a class="xref" href="sql-copy.html" title="COPY"><span class="refentrytitle">COPY</span></a>
         for more information.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of columns in the data to be copied
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em> below).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The format codes to be used for each column.
         Each must presently be zero (text) or one (binary).
         All must be zero if the overall copy format is textual.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYOUTRESPONSE"><span class="term">CopyOutResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('H')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Start Copy Out response.
         This message will be followed by copy-out data.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int8</span></dt><dd><p>
         0 indicates the overall <code class="command">COPY</code> format
         is textual (rows separated by newlines, columns
         separated by separator characters, etc.). 1 indicates
         the overall copy format is binary (similar to DataRow
         format). See <a class="xref" href="sql-copy.html" title="COPY"><span class="refentrytitle">COPY</span></a> for more information.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of columns in the data to be copied
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em> below).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The format codes to be used for each column.
         Each must presently be zero (text) or one (binary).
         All must be zero if the overall copy format is textual.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-COPYBOTHRESPONSE"><span class="term">CopyBothResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('W')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Start Copy Both response.
         This message is used only for Streaming Replication.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int8</span></dt><dd><p>
         0 indicates the overall <code class="command">COPY</code> format
         is textual (rows separated by newlines, columns
         separated by separator characters, etc.). 1 indicates
         the overall copy format is binary (similar to DataRow
         format). See <a class="xref" href="sql-copy.html" title="COPY"><span class="refentrytitle">COPY</span></a> for more information.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of columns in the data to be copied
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em> below).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>N</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The format codes to be used for each column.
         Each must presently be zero (text) or one (binary).
         All must be zero if the overall copy format is textual.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-DATAROW"><span class="term">DataRow (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('D')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a data row.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of column values that follow (possibly zero).
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Next, the following pair of fields appear for each column:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The length of the column value, in bytes (this count
         does not include itself).  Can be zero.
         As a special case, -1 indicates a NULL column value.
         No value bytes follow in the NULL case.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         The value of the column, in the format indicated by the
         associated format code.
         <em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em> is the above length.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-DESCRIBE"><span class="term">Describe (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('D')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Describe command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte1</span></dt><dd><p>
         '<code class="literal">S</code>' to describe a prepared statement; or
         '<code class="literal">P</code>' to describe a portal.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the prepared statement or portal to describe
         (an empty string selects the unnamed prepared statement
         or portal).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-EMPTYQUERYRESPONSE"><span class="term">EmptyQueryResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('I')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a response to an empty query string.
         (This substitutes for CommandComplete.)
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-ERRORRESPONSE"><span class="term">ErrorResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('E')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an error.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      The message body consists of one or more identified fields,
      followed by a zero byte as a terminator.  Fields can appear in
      any order.  For each field there is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1</span></dt><dd><p>
         A code identifying the field type; if zero, this is
         the message terminator and no string follows.
         The presently defined field types are listed in
         <a class="xref" href="protocol-error-fields.html" title="55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields">Section 55.8</a>.
         Since more field types might be added in future,
         frontends should silently ignore fields of unrecognized
         type.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The field value.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-EXECUTE"><span class="term">Execute (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('E')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an Execute command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the portal to execute
         (an empty string selects the unnamed portal).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Maximum number of rows to return, if portal contains
         a query that returns rows (ignored otherwise).  Zero
         denotes <span class="quote"><span class="quote">no limit</span></span>.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-FLUSH"><span class="term">Flush (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('H')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Flush command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-FUNCTIONCALL"><span class="term">FunctionCall (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('F')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a function call.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies the object ID of the function to call.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of argument format codes that follow
         (denoted <em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em> below).
         This can be zero to indicate that there are no arguments
         or that the arguments all use the default format (text);
         or one, in which case the specified format code is applied
         to all arguments; or it can equal the actual number of
         arguments.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16[<em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em>]</span></dt><dd><p>
         The argument format codes.  Each must presently be
         zero (text) or one (binary).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies the number of arguments being supplied to the
         function.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Next, the following pair of fields appear for each argument:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The length of the argument value, in bytes (this count
         does not include itself).  Can be zero.
         As a special case, -1 indicates a NULL argument value.
         No value bytes follow in the NULL case.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         The value of the argument, in the format indicated by the
         associated format code.
         <em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em> is the above length.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      After the last argument, the following field appears:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The format code for the function result. Must presently be
         zero (text) or one (binary).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-FUNCTIONCALLRESPONSE"><span class="term">FunctionCallResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('V')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a function call result.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The length of the function result value, in bytes (this count
         does not include itself).  Can be zero.
         As a special case, -1 indicates a NULL function result.
         No value bytes follow in the NULL case.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         The value of the function result, in the format indicated by
         the associated format code.
         <em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em> is the above length.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-GSSENCREQUEST"><span class="term">GSSENCRequest (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(80877104)</span></dt><dd><p>
         The <acronym class="acronym">GSSAPI</acronym> Encryption request code.  The value is chosen to contain
         <code class="literal">1234</code> in the most significant 16 bits, and <code class="literal">5680</code> in the
         least significant 16 bits.  (To avoid confusion, this code
         must not be the same as any protocol version number.)
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-GSSRESPONSE"><span class="term">GSSResponse (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('p')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a GSSAPI or SSPI response. Note that
         this is also used for SASL and password response messages.
         The exact message type can be deduced from the context.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         GSSAPI/SSPI specific message data.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-NEGOTIATEPROTOCOLVERSION"><span class="term">NegotiateProtocolVersion (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('v')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a protocol version negotiation
         message.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Newest minor protocol version supported by the server
         for the major protocol version requested by the client.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Number of protocol options not recognized by the server.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Then, for protocol option not recognized by the server, there
      is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The option name.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-NODATA"><span class="term">NoData (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('n')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a no-data indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-NOTICERESPONSE"><span class="term">NoticeResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('N')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a notice.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      The message body consists of one or more identified fields,
      followed by a zero byte as a terminator.  Fields can appear in
      any order.  For each field there is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1</span></dt><dd><p>
         A code identifying the field type; if zero, this is
         the message terminator and no string follows.
         The presently defined field types are listed in
         <a class="xref" href="protocol-error-fields.html" title="55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields">Section 55.8</a>.
         Since more field types might be added in future,
         frontends should silently ignore fields of unrecognized
         type.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The field value.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-NOTIFICATIONRESPONSE"><span class="term">NotificationResponse (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('A')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a notification response.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The process ID of the notifying backend process.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the channel that the notify has been raised on.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The <span class="quote"><span class="quote">payload</span></span> string passed from the notifying process.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PARAMETERDESCRIPTION"><span class="term">ParameterDescription (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('t')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a parameter description.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of parameters used by the statement
         (can be zero).
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Then, for each parameter, there is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies the object ID of the parameter data type.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PARAMETERSTATUS"><span class="term">ParameterStatus (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('S')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a run-time parameter status report.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the run-time parameter being reported.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The current value of the parameter.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PARSE"><span class="term">Parse (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('P')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Parse command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The name of the destination prepared statement
         (an empty string selects the unnamed prepared statement).
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The query string to be parsed.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The number of parameter data types specified
         (can be zero).  Note that this is not an indication of
         the number of parameters that might appear in the
         query string, only the number that the frontend wants to
         prespecify types for.
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Then, for each parameter, there is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies the object ID of the parameter data type.
         Placing a zero here is equivalent to leaving the type
         unspecified.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PARSECOMPLETE"><span class="term">ParseComplete (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('1')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Parse-complete indicator.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PASSWORDMESSAGE"><span class="term">PasswordMessage (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('p')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a password response. Note that
         this is also used for GSSAPI, SSPI and SASL response messages.
         The exact message type can be deduced from the context.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The password (encrypted, if requested).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-PORTALSUSPENDED"><span class="term">PortalSuspended (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('s')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a portal-suspended indicator.
         Note this only appears if an Execute message's row-count limit
         was reached.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-QUERY"><span class="term">Query (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('Q')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a simple query.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The query string itself.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-READYFORQUERY"><span class="term">ReadyForQuery (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('Z')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message type.  ReadyForQuery is sent
         whenever the backend is ready for a new query cycle.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(5)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte1</span></dt><dd><p>
         Current backend transaction status indicator.
         Possible values are '<code class="literal">I</code>' if idle (not in
         a transaction block); '<code class="literal">T</code>' if in a transaction
         block; or '<code class="literal">E</code>' if in a failed transaction
         block (queries will be rejected until block is ended).
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-ROWDESCRIPTION"><span class="term">RowDescription (B)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('T')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a row description.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         Specifies the number of fields in a row (can be zero).
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      Then, for each field, there is the following:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The field name.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         If the field can be identified as a column of a specific
         table, the object ID of the table; otherwise zero.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         If the field can be identified as a column of a specific
         table, the attribute number of the column; otherwise zero.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The object ID of the field's data type.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The data type size (see <code class="varname">pg_type.typlen</code>).
         Note that negative values denote variable-width types.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         The type modifier (see <code class="varname">pg_attribute.atttypmod</code>).
         The meaning of the modifier is type-specific.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int16</span></dt><dd><p>
         The format code being used for the field.  Currently will
         be zero (text) or one (binary).  In a RowDescription
         returned from the statement variant of Describe, the
         format code is not yet known and will always be zero.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-SASLINITIALRESPONSE"><span class="term">SASLInitialResponse (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('p')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as an initial SASL response. Note that
         this is also used for GSSAPI, SSPI and password response messages.
         The exact message type is deduced from the context.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         Name of the SASL authentication mechanism that the client
         selected.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of SASL mechanism specific "Initial Client Response" that
         follows, or -1 if there is no Initial Response.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         SASL mechanism specific "Initial Response".
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-SASLRESPONSE"><span class="term">SASLResponse (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('p')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a SASL response. Note that
         this is also used for GSSAPI, SSPI and password response messages.
         The exact message type can be deduced from the context.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Byte<em class="replaceable"><code>n</code></em></span></dt><dd><p>
         SASL mechanism specific message data.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-SSLREQUEST"><span class="term">SSLRequest (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32(8)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(80877103)</span></dt><dd><p>
         The <acronym class="acronym">SSL</acronym> request code.  The value is chosen to contain
         <code class="literal">1234</code> in the most significant 16 bits, and <code class="literal">5679</code> in the
         least significant 16 bits.  (To avoid confusion, this code
         must not be the same as any protocol version number.)
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-STARTUPMESSAGE"><span class="term">StartupMessage (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Int32</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(196608)</span></dt><dd><p>
         The protocol version number.  The most significant 16 bits are
         the major version number (3 for the protocol described here).
         The least significant 16 bits are the minor version number
         (0 for the protocol described here).
        </p></dd></dl></div><p>
      The protocol version number is followed by one or more pairs of
      parameter name and value strings.  A zero byte is required as a
      terminator after the last name/value pair.
      Parameters can appear in any
      order.  <code class="literal">user</code> is required, others are optional.
      Each parameter is specified as:
     </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The parameter name.  Currently recognized names are:

         </p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term"><code class="literal">user</code></span></dt><dd><p>
             The database user name to connect as.  Required;
             there is no default.
            </p></dd><dt><span class="term"><code class="literal">database</code></span></dt><dd><p>
             The database to connect to.  Defaults to the user name.
            </p></dd><dt><span class="term"><code class="literal">options</code></span></dt><dd><p>
             Command-line arguments for the backend.  (This is
             deprecated in favor of setting individual run-time
             parameters.)  Spaces within this string are
             considered to separate arguments, unless escaped with
             a backslash (<code class="literal">\</code>); write <code class="literal">\\</code> to
             represent a literal backslash.
            </p></dd><dt><span class="term"><code class="literal">replication</code></span></dt><dd><p>
             Used to connect in streaming replication mode, where
             a small set of replication commands can be issued
             instead of SQL statements. Value can be
             <code class="literal">true</code>, <code class="literal">false</code>, or
             <code class="literal">database</code>, and the default is
             <code class="literal">false</code>. See
             <a class="xref" href="protocol-replication.html" title="55.4. Streaming Replication Protocol">Section 55.4</a> for details.
            </p></dd></dl></div><p>

         In addition to the above, other parameters may be listed.
         Parameter names beginning with <code class="literal">_pq_.</code> are
         reserved for use as protocol extensions, while others are
         treated as run-time parameters to be set at backend start
         time.  Such settings will be applied during backend start
         (after parsing the command-line arguments if any) and will
         act as session defaults.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">String</span></dt><dd><p>
         The parameter value.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-SYNC"><span class="term">Sync (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('S')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a Sync command.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd><dt id="PROTOCOL-MESSAGE-FORMATS-TERMINATE"><span class="term">Terminate (F)</span></dt><dd><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Byte1('X')</span></dt><dd><p>
         Identifies the message as a termination.
        </p></dd><dt><span class="term">Int32(4)</span></dt><dd><p>
         Length of message contents in bytes, including self.
        </p></dd></dl></div></dd></dl></div></div><div class="navfooter"><hr /><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer"><tr><td width="40%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="protocol-message-types.html" title="55.6. Message Data Types">Prev</a> </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="u" href="protocol.html" title="Chapter 55. Frontend/Backend Protocol">Up</a></td><td width="40%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="protocol-error-fields.html" title="55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields">Next</a></td></tr><tr><td width="40%" align="left" valign="top">55.6. Message Data Types </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="h" href="index.html" title="PostgreSQL 15.5 Documentation">Home</a></td><td width="40%" align="right" valign="top"> 55.8. Error and Notice Message Fields</td></tr></table></div></body></html>