Inception: | January 1, 1996 |
Website: | https://www.postgresql.org |
Source code: | https://git.postgresql.org/gitweb/?p=postgresql.git |
Has use: | relational database, object-relational database |
Operating systems: | Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Solaris, Unix-like operating system, OpenBSD, FreeBSD |
Coded in: | C |
Creators: | Michael Stonebraker |
Developers: | Tom Lane, PostgreSQL Global Development Group, Bruce Momjian, Peter Eisentraut, Marc Fournier |
Influenced by: | Ingres |
License: | PostgreSQL License |
PostgreSQL, often referred to as “Postgres”, is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) known for its robustness, extensibility, and adherence to SQL standards.
It was initially developed at the University of California, Berkeley, in the mid-1980s and has since evolved into a powerful database platform used by organizations of all sizes worldwide.
Key features of PostgreSQL include:
Reliability and Stability: PostgreSQL is renowned for its reliability, with a reputation for stability even under high workloads and complex queries.
ACID Compliance: It fully supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties, ensuring data integrity and reliability, which are crucial for transactional systems.
Extensibility: PostgreSQL offers a rich ecosystem of extensions and user-defined functions, allowing developers to tailor the database to their specific needs. This extensibility enables the incorporation of custom data types, indexing methods, and procedural languages.
Advanced SQL Support: PostgreSQL supports a wide range of SQL features, including complex queries, subqueries, joins, and window functions. It also provides support for common table expressions (CTEs), which enhance the readability and maintainability of complex queries.
Data Types and Indexing: PostgreSQL provides a comprehensive set of built-in data types, including numeric, textual, temporal, geometric, and JSONB (for semi-structured data). It offers various indexing techniques such as B-tree, hash, and GiST/GIN (for spatial and full-text search), enabling efficient data retrieval.
Scalability: PostgreSQL is designed to scale vertically and horizontally. It supports clustering, replication, and partitioning strategies to distribute data across multiple servers and handle increasing workloads.
Security Features: PostgreSQL offers robust security features, including role-based access control (RBAC), SSL/TLS encryption, row-level security (RLS), and auditing capabilities. These features help organizations meet compliance requirements and protect sensitive data.
Community Support and Documentation: PostgreSQL has a vibrant and active community that contributes to its development and maintenance. Extensive documentation, tutorials, and online resources are available to assist users at all levels of expertise.
My opinion
Overall, PostgreSQL is a versatile and powerful database management system suitable for a wide range of applications, from small projects to enterprise-level deployments, thanks to its reliability, extensibility, and comprehensive feature set.
