couchdb

Start CouchDB

$ couchdb

$ couchdb -i

$ couchdb -b

$ couchdb -k

$ couchdb -d

couchdb [OPTIONS]

-h, --help
    Displays a help message detailing command-line options.

-V, --version
    Shows the CouchDB version information.

-i, --inetd
    Runs CouchDB in a mode compatible with inetd, though less common in modern deployments.

--config <file>
    Specifies an alternative configuration .ini file to load instead of the default.

--boot <file>
    Specifies an alternative boot file for starting the server.

--foreground
    Starts CouchDB in the foreground, preventing it from daemonizing. Useful for debugging.

--debug
    Enables verbose debug logging output.

The couchdb command initiates and manages the Apache CouchDB server process. CouchDB is an open-source, schema-free, NoSQL document-oriented database designed for use with web applications. It stores data in JSON format, utilizes JavaScript for indexing and querying with MapReduce, and offers a comprehensive HTTP RESTful API for interaction.

When executed, the couchdb command typically starts the database server, making it available for client connections. While it can run in the foreground for debugging, it's primarily designed to run as a background service (daemon) in production environments. Its core features include robust data replication, enabling synchronized data across multiple server instances, which is crucial for building scalable, fault-tolerant distributed systems. Configuration is mostly handled via dedicated INI files rather than command-line parameters, simplifying deployment and management.

The couchdb command primarily serves to start the CouchDB server process. Most configuration and management are performed through its HTTP API or by editing its INI configuration files (e.g., local.ini and default.ini). In modern Linux systems, it's highly recommended to manage the CouchDB server as a service using tools like systemd (e.g., systemctl start couchdb) rather than directly invoking the couchdb command for production deployments.

Users typically interact with CouchDB via its RESTful HTTP API using tools like curl or through its web-based administrative user interface, Fauxton.

CouchDB's behavior is primarily configured via INI files, such as local.ini and default.ini, located in its installation directory. These files allow detailed control over database settings, networking, security, and more.

In modern Linux environments, the couchdb process is typically managed by a service manager like systemd. For example, to start the service, one would use systemctl start couchdb; to stop, systemctl stop couchdb; and to check its status, systemctl status couchdb. This is the recommended approach for production environments to ensure proper startup, shutdown, and error handling.

CouchDB was initially created by Damien Katz in 2005. It joined the Apache Incubator in 2008 and became a top-level Apache project in 2010. Its development focused on ease of use, robust replication, and a distributed architecture, leveraging HTTP for its API and JSON for data storage, distinguishing it from traditional relational databases.

curl(1), systemctl(1)