Postgresql not creating db with “createdb” as superuser, yet not outputting errors

createdb is a command line utility which you can run from bash and not from psql. To create a database from psql, use the create database statement like so:

create database [databasename];

Note: be sure to always end your SQL statements with ;

Late to the party, but the accepted answer doesn't explain why no error is displayed. And as this is something Postgres newcomers often stumble upon, I wanted to add that.

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TL/TR: always end your SQL statements with ;

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Because the createdb database did not end with ; psql thinks the statement isn't finished and waits for more input. This is indicated by the prompt changing from postgres=# to postgres-#. An extremely subtle change that I wish psql would do differently (more "prominent").

By entering the meta-command \list the "current" SQL statement is "aborted" without executing it.

If the createdb had been ended with a ; the output would have been:

postgres=> createdb foobar;
ERROR:  syntax error at or near "createdb"
LINE 1: createdb foobar;
        ^
postgres=>

Clearly showing that something was wrong.

I was in this situation not long ago. In case someone else experiences this, considering that the command prompt shows postgres-# you can execute the pending createdb command by simply typing ; and the return key.