man > LOAD(7)

LOAD(7)                            PostgreSQL 16.14 Documentation                            LOAD(7)

NAME
       LOAD - load a shared library file

SYNOPSIS
       LOAD 'filename'

DESCRIPTION
       This command loads a shared library file into the PostgreSQL server's address space. If the
       file has been loaded already, the command does nothing. Shared library files that contain C
       functions are automatically loaded whenever one of their functions is called. Therefore, an
       explicit LOAD is usually only needed to load a library that modifies the server's behavior
       through “hooks” rather than providing a set of functions.

       The library file name is typically given as just a bare file name, which is sought in the
       server's library search path (set by dynamic_library_path). Alternatively it can be given as
       a full path name. In either case the platform's standard shared library file name extension
       may be omitted. See Section 38.10.1 for more information on this topic.

       Non-superusers can only apply LOAD to library files located in $libdir/plugins/ — the
       specified filename must begin with exactly that string. (It is the database administrator's
       responsibility to ensure that only “safe” libraries are installed there.)

COMPATIBILITY
       LOAD is a PostgreSQL extension.

SEE ALSO
       CREATE FUNCTION (CREATE_FUNCTION(7))

PostgreSQL 16.14                                2026                                         LOAD(7)