Embedded PostgreSQL fails to initialize but works after system restart

[hongmiao-wu]

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.IllegalStateException: Process [/var/folders/dc/rmhssxvx42z7vcp49_md0_d80000gp/T/embedded-pg/PG-ba8cd9274b4f86c8aaab345231d9cd72/bin/initdb, -A, trust, -U, postgres, -D, /var/folders/dc/rmhssxvx42z7vcp49_md0_d80000gp/T/epg5263820244045919672, -E, UTF-8] failed
    at embedded.postgres@2.1.0/io.zonky.test.db.postgres.embedded.EmbeddedPostgres.system(EmbeddedPostgres.java:633)
    at embedded.postgres@2.1.0/io.zonky.test.db.postgres.embedded.EmbeddedPostgres.initdb(EmbeddedPostgres.java:250)
    at embedded.postgres@2.1.0/io.zonky.test.db.postgres.embedded.EmbeddedPostgres.<init>(EmbeddedPostgres.java:157)
    at embedded.postgres@2.1.0/io.zonky.test.db.postgres.embedded.EmbeddedPostgres$Builder.start(EmbeddedPostgres.java:584)
    at org.jabref@100.0.0/org.jabref.logic.search.PostgreServer.<init>(PostgreServer.java:27)
    at org.jabref@100.0.0/org.jabref.Launcher.main(Launcher.java:42)

Environment
zonky.test:embedded-postgres:2.1.0
Application: JabRef
OS: macOS 13.4
IntelliJ IDEA 2022.2.3
Java 23

[tomix26]

Hey @hongmiao-wu, thanks for the report.

In these situations, the best solution is to try running the PostgreSQL database manually using the following commands:

cd /var/folders/dc/rmhssxvx42z7vcp49_md0_d80000gp/T/embedded-pg/PG-ba8cd9274b4f86c8aaab345231d9cd72/bin
mkdir ./data && ./pg_ctl -D ./data start

The output should provide the Postgres database log, where the cause of the problem should be mentioned. If the database starts without issues, the problem is likely related to the permissions of the Java process that is trying to run the embedded Postgres.

You can check a similar issue here: #115

[hongmiao-wu]

Unfortunately, it does not work.

First, it shows directory "data" is not a database cluster directory, then I use initdb -D ./data before starting.

Then PostgreSQL server starts successfully waiting for server to start....2025-02-22 10:33:45.465 CET [29417] LOG: starting PostgreSQL 14.15 (Homebrew) on aarch64-apple-darwin22.6.0, compiled by Apple clang version 15.0.0 (clang-1500.1.0.2.5), 64-bit

But the app(JabRef) I wanted to run still throws the same error I mentioned above
`

[tomix26]

PostgreSQL 14.15 (Homebrew) - This doesn't look like binary files from this project. You need to use the ./ prefix when calling commands to ensure you're running files in the current directory, not global ones on the PATH. Currently, you're probably running the Homebrew version of PostgreSQL.