PostgreSQL

Table of Contents

45.1. Python 2 vs. Python 3

45.2. PL/Python Functions

45.3. Data Values

45.3.1. Data Type Mapping

45.3.2. Null, None

45.3.3. Arrays, Lists

45.3.4. Composite Types

45.3.5. Set-Returning Functions

45.4. Sharing Data

45.5. Anonymous Code Blocks

45.6. Trigger Functions

45.7. Database Access

45.7.1. Database Access Functions

45.7.2. Trapping Errors

45.8. Explicit Subtransactions

45.8.1. Subtransaction Context Managers

45.8.2. Older Python Versions

45.9. Transaction Management

45.10. Utility Functions

45.11. Environment Variables

The PL/Python procedural language allows PostgreSQL functions and procedures to be written in the Python language.

To install PL/Python in a particular database, use CREATE EXTENSION plpythonu (but see also Section 45.1).

If a language is installed into template1, all subsequently created databases will have the language installed automatically.

PL/Python is only available as an “[.quote]#untrusted”# language, meaning it does not offer any way of restricting what users can do in it and is therefore named plpythonu. A trusted variant plpython might become available in the future if a secure execution mechanism is developed in Python. The writer of a function in untrusted PL/Python must take care that the function cannot be used to do anything unwanted, since it will be able to do anything that could be done by a user logged in as the database administrator. Only superusers can create functions in untrusted languages such as plpythonu.

Users of source packages must specially enable the build of PL/Python during the installation process. (Refer to the installation instructions for more information.) Users of binary packages might find PL/Python in a separate subpackage.

If you see anything in the documentation that is not correct, does not match your experience with the particular feature or requires further clarification, please use this form to report a documentation issue.

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