Chapter 1. The Basics
Although billed as a database management system (DBMS), the open source PostgreSQL offers features far and above other well-known database engines, both open source and commercial. This chapter lays out the main concepts you should understand before installing PostgreSQL. If you’re coming from another DBMS, you’ll traverse familiar territory.
We begin by guiding you through downloading and installing PostgreSQL. Next, we provide an overview of indispensable administration tools followed by a summary nomenclature exclusive to PostgreSQL. We’ll highlight some of the new features in the latest release — Version 18. We close the chapter with helpful resources and where to submit bug reports.
Why PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL is an enterprise-level relational database management system, on par with top-selling proprietary database systems: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and IBM DB2. PostgreSQL is special because it’s not just a database: It’s also an application platform, and an ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access