ERROR: syntax error at or near "psql" when importing database

Question

I am trying to import a.sql file into my new created database. I used

docker exec -it <idOfContainer> psql -U <user> <database_name>

to specify the database I want to use. Then I tried to import the.sql file to the database using the command

psql <databasename> -f "<path/to/file.sql>";

but this error appears

ERROR:  syntax error at or near "psql"
LINE 1: psql <databasename> -f "<path/to/file.sql>";
        ^

I am new in using postgres and databases, so no idea what to do, thanks for the help!

Answer 1

Your docker exec is wrong, you only need the '-i'

The -it executes tty which will get you to run into your container. Importing databases can be done outside the container.

cat database.sql | docker exec -i <dockercontainername> psql -U <user> <databasename>