PostgreSQL

This part describes the use of the SQL language in PostgreSQL. We start with describing the general syntax of SQL, then explain how to create the structures to hold data, how to populate the database, and how to query it. The middle part lists the available data types and functions for use in SQL commands. The rest treats several aspects that are important for tuning a database for optimal performance.

The information in this part is arranged so that a novice user can follow it start to end to gain a full understanding of the topics without having to refer forward too many times. The chapters are intended to be self-contained, so that advanced users can read the chapters individually as they choose. The information in this part is presented in a narrative fashion in topical units. Readers looking for a complete description of a particular command should see Part VI.

Readers of this part should know how to connect to a PostgreSQL database and issue SQL commands. Readers that are unfamiliar with these issues are encouraged to read Part I first. SQL commands are typically entered using the PostgreSQL interactive terminal psql, but other programs that have similar functionality can be used as well.

Table of Contents

4. SQL Syntax

4.1. Lexical Structure

4.2. Value Expressions

4.3. Calling Functions

5. Data Definition

5.1. Table Basics

5.2. Default Values

5.3. Generated Columns

5.4. Constraints

5.5. System Columns

5.6. Modifying Tables

5.7. Privileges

5.8. Row Security Policies

5.9. Schemas

5.10. Inheritance

5.11. Table Partitioning

5.12. Foreign Data

5.13. Other Database Objects

5.14. Dependency Tracking

6. Data Manipulation

6.1. Inserting Data

6.2. Updating Data

6.3. Deleting Data

6.4. Returning Data from Modified Rows

7. Queries

7.1. Overview

7.2. Table Expressions

7.3. Select Lists

7.4. Combining Queries (UNION, INTERSECT, EXCEPT)

7.5. Sorting Rows (ORDER BY)

7.6. LIMIT and OFFSET

7.7. VALUES Lists

7.8. WITH Queries (Common Table Expressions)

8. Data Types

8.1. Numeric Types

8.2. Monetary Types

8.3. Character Types

8.4. Binary Data Types

8.5. Date/Time Types

8.6. Boolean Type

8.7. Enumerated Types

8.8. Geometric Types

8.9. Network Address Types

8.10. Bit String Types

8.11. Text Search Types

8.12. UUID Type

8.13. XML Type

8.14. JSON Types

8.15. Arrays

8.16. Composite Types

8.17. Range Types

8.18. Domain Types

8.19. Object Identifier Types

8.20. pg_lsn Type

8.21. Pseudo-Types

9. Functions and Operators

9.1. Logical Operators

9.2. Comparison Functions and Operators

9.3. Mathematical Functions and Operators

9.4. String Functions and Operators

9.5. Binary String Functions and Operators

9.6. Bit String Functions and Operators

9.7. Pattern Matching

9.8. Data Type Formatting Functions

9.9. Date/Time Functions and Operators

9.10. Enum Support Functions

9.11. Geometric Functions and Operators

9.12. Network Address Functions and Operators

9.13. Text Search Functions and Operators

9.14. UUID Functions

9.15. XML Functions

9.16. JSON Functions and Operators

9.17. Sequence Manipulation Functions

9.18. Conditional Expressions

9.19. Array Functions and Operators

9.20. Range/Multirange Functions and Operators

9.21. Aggregate Functions

9.22. Window Functions

9.23. Subquery Expressions

9.24. Row and Array Comparisons

9.25. Set Returning Functions

9.26. System Information Functions and Operators

9.27. System Administration Functions

9.28. Trigger Functions

9.29. Event Trigger Functions

9.30. Statistics Information Functions

10. Type Conversion

10.1. Overview

10.2. Operators

10.3. Functions

10.4. Value Storage

10.5. UNION, CASE, and Related Constructs

10.6. SELECT Output Columns

11. Indexes

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Index Types

11.3. Multicolumn Indexes

11.4. Indexes and ORDER BY

11.5. Combining Multiple Indexes

11.6. Unique Indexes

11.7. Indexes on Expressions

11.8. Partial Indexes

11.9. Index-Only Scans and Covering Indexes

11.10. Operator Classes and Operator Families

11.11. Indexes and Collations

11.12. Examining Index Usage

12. Full Text Search

12.1. Introduction

12.2. Tables and Indexes

12.3. Controlling Text Search

12.4. Additional Features

12.5. Parsers

12.6. Dictionaries

12.7. Configuration Example

12.8. Testing and Debugging Text Search

12.9. Preferred Index Types for Text Search

12.10. psql Support

12.11. Limitations

13. Concurrency Control

13.1. Introduction

13.2. Transaction Isolation

13.3. Explicit Locking

13.4. Data Consistency Checks at the Application Level

13.5. Serialization Failure Handling

13.6. Caveats

13.7. Locking and Indexes

14. Performance Tips

14.1. Using EXPLAIN

14.2. Statistics Used by the Planner

14.3. Controlling the Planner with Explicit JOIN Clauses

14.4. Populating a Database

14.5. Non-Durable Settings

15. Parallel Query

15.1. How Parallel Query Works

15.2. When Can Parallel Query Be Used?

15.3. Parallel Plans

15.4. Parallel Safety

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