Install Postgresql using Homebrew

Below are the procedures to install and configure Postgresql on mac using home-brew (Currently Postgresql 9.6.1)

• Update Homebrew using command
  
  • $ brew update
• Install postgresql
  
  • $ brew install postgresql
• Initialize the database
  
  • $ initdb /usr/local/var/postgres/
• Start the database server
  
  • $ pg_ctl -D /usr/local/var/postgres -l /usr/local/var/postgres/server.log start
$ pg_ctl -D /usr/local/var/postgres/ -l logfile start
• Create the database
  
  • $ created nameOfYourDatabase
• Start the database
  
  • $ psql nameOfYourDatabase
• Stop a database server
  
  • pg_ctl -D /usr/local/var/postgres stop -s -m fast

Using a LaunchAgent and plist to Launch PostgreSQL on Startup:

• Create a directory for LaunchAgents (usually created by default)
  
  • $ mkdir -p ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• Create symbolic link from launchAgents to Postgresql
  
  • $ ln -sfv /usr/local/opt/postgresql/*.plist ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• Load the symbolic link file
  
  • $ launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.postgresql.plist

Notes:
When creating a new database system, either remove or empty
the directory /usr/local/var/postgres, or run initdb
with an argument other than /usr/local/var/postgres.

Reference:
* install PostgreSQL 9 in Mac OSX via Homebrew
* Install PostgreSQL on Mac OS X via Brew
* How to Start PostgreSQL Server on Mac OS X