Prevent PostgreSQL from being launched on start-up on Mac OS X

After installing PostgreSQL on Mac OS X I found the database server (daemon) being launched on every start-up of my development box. To prevent this behaviour just delete the folder named after the installed PostgreSQL version under /Library/StartupItems (admin password required / can be done in Finder). To start the server just use the icon that has been installed into your Applications folder.

There you'll also find pgAdmin III - a powerful administration and query tool. Compared to MySQL this bundling is a clear advantage. Combined with the overall better system integration offered by the standard installer, this fact contributes to my good impression of PostgreSQL so far.

A German language version of this article can be found in Carl's personal blog.