Heroku: Up and Running

Chapter 5. Heroku PostgreSQL

As Heroku grows, there is an increasing need to provide database services that match the ethos of the Heroku platform—simple provisioning and usage on demand at a low cost.

Thus, Heroku decided to develop the Heroku PostgreSQL service.

Why PostgreSQL?

Over the last few years, two open source database servers have become dominant on the Web. These servers are MySQL and PostgreSQL. In order to provide the best service available, Heroku decided to use PostgreSQL, and provide this service as the default choice for all database hosting.

In the early days of Heroku PostgreSQL, this was somewhat surprising, as MySQL was easily the most predominantly used database server at the time. However, over time, opinion has shifted more toward using PostgreSQL.

But why PostgreSQL?

The initial choice was made based on the fact that it was believed to be operationally more reliable than MySQL, which is very important when managing hundreds of thousands of databases on a daily basis. Over time, Heroku found PostgreSQL to get better and better as the development community around it added updated and new functionality.

Additionally, and a very key reason, PostgreSQL is an open system and always will be (unlike MySQL). This means that now and moving forward, as long as you are using PostgreSQL for your database server, you will not be subject to any vendor lock-in. Thus, as a user, you are able to take your data wherever you please.

There are a number of other technical reasons as ...