PostgreSQL 17.1 / 16.5 / 15.9 / 14.14 / 13.17 / 12.21 / 11.22

Overview

PostgreSQL is one of several possible SQL relational database management systems (RDBMS) which can provide structured data storage in a similar manner to other products both commercial and for personal use. Similar SQL database products include MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and others.

There are many data types that can be used to store information within a PostgreSQL database. Both the SQL99 and SQL92 data types are included. There are also the common data types like varchar, char, data, boolean, integer, timestamp and interval. Each data type is created to help take up as little storage space in the database as possible while providing the right storage container.

For instance, while the char data type is used for fixed-length textual information, the varchar data type is used for variable-length information which requires more bytes of storage space. PostgreSQL widely supports different data types which not only ensures excellent speed and storage benefits, but also good portability of databases from other SQL RDBMS systems without many needed changes pre-conversion.

PostgreSQL is also flexible enough that programmers can use a variety of languages in order to code SQL queries and send them over to the database system for processing. Ruby on Rails, Python, Perl, C, C++, .NET and Java are just some of the languages that will work with it.

PostgreSQL software is also highly cross-compatible with versions that can run within Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris which will suit cross-platform developers who produce projects on more than one platform at a time. This RDBMS offers excellent execution speed that is comparable to MySQL.

Installation

PostgreSQL is freeware so it can be widely installed. The different versions can be accessed from the PostgreSQL web site.

The installation takes a while to complete. There were no extras added like malicious software.

The software requires access to NTFS drives, so Windows NT and Windows 2000 present a few issues, and older versions of Windows cannot run PostgreSQL successfully at all. The best systems to install PostgreSQL are Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 2003, 2008 or later.

Occasionally, users have problems with setting initial passwords or resetting them when using pre-packaged installers that include PostgreSQL. If this issue occurs, there is useful blog post that can assist with this.

Interface

The interface is fairly straight-forward. There are server managers and a tool for accessing and modifying the databases. For anyone who has use phpMyAdmin to perform similar tasks, they are unlikely to have any issues here.

Pros

• Free, robust SQL database management system
• Create large or small databases
• Table support
• Fast queries
• Supports wide range of data types including SQL92 and SQL99
• Supports wide variety of programming languages that can connection and query PostgreSQL databases
• Cross-platform with versions available for BSD, Linux, Mac OS X and Windows

Cons

None.

Conclusion

PostgreSQL is a robust SQL database solution for users who need access to a SQL-based database system without needing to buy the Oracle database or Microsoft SQL Server solution.