Considering that almost every software or website needs a fast and stable database in its backend, PostgreSQL is one of the best options for making the development team’s work easier.
By reading this article, you will understand why big companies like Apple, NASA, and Instagram prefer this database and what reasons made PostgreSQL one of the best after MySQL:
What is PostgreSQL?
In modern technological society, data integrity and security have become one of the main priorities. Considering that large projects also need a secure database to store thousands of information blocks, the importance of DBMS becomes clear. A database management system creates a protective shell around the data that lives inside to control how it is accessed and manipulated.
Of course, before getting to know the features and reasons for using PostgreSQL, it is better to read the article “What is a database?”, so that the terms presented in the following content are not unfamiliar.
PostgreSQL, or Postgres for short, is an open-source, server-client-based database management system for many web, mobile, and analytics tools.
With support for SQL and JSON queries, advanced data types, and performance optimization features, Postgres strives to provide flexibility and extensibility for the system. Features and functions specific to SQL, such as foreign keys, subqueries, triggers, etc., are also included in Postgres. This work not only helps to strengthen the SQL language but also includes several other features for scaling and data storage, improving the performance of this system.
Main features of PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL has several unique and attractive features, making it popular among other databases. So let’s look at these features in more detail:
High reliability and compatibility with standards
This system provides true ACID for all transactions. It supports essential features such as foreign keys, joins, views, and triggers, as well as SQL data types such as INTEGER, VARCHAR, TIMESTAMP, BOOLEAN, and binary hub objects. Big like photo, video, or audio has made it so reliable and compatible.
The process of securely storing data and providing permission to the user to retrieve data when processing a request is supported by an experienced team that constantly fixes errors and improves system performance. Benefiting from features such as WAL, PITR, data copy (replication) master-slave, etc., will prevent your data from being damaged accidentally and maintain its stability.
Relational and non-relational query support
Postgres is not only a relational system but also an object-relational system. That is, it is somewhere between relational and object-oriented databases and supports both relational and non-relational queries. Relational queries use SQL, and non-relational queries are based on JSON.
It supports critical object-oriented features like objects, classes, and function overloading. These features allow the developer to create data types and the conditions to maintain data integrity when working with the model. Have complex data.
Support for various programming languages
PL/PGSQL is a language developed by PostgreSQL, and has modern and diverse features as a procedural language. This language supports JSON data, which is very lightweight and ensures flexibility. Also, the support of this system for important programming languages and protocols such as Perl, JavaScript (Node.js), Ruby, Python, .NET, TCL, C/C++, Java, ODBC, and Go has made developers in this field not face many restrictions. Using these languages and the feature of object orientation, you can easily define the functions, data, and triggers you need.
Open text
One of the most important advantages of this system is that it is free and open source. Considering that the programming community has supported it for more than 20 years, it has reached a high level of integration. PostgreSQL’s open source allows you to use it without any additional costs and make the necessary changes and corrections in its source code if needed.
This open text makes this system very expandable, and the definition of various data and functions goes much faster and easier.
Excellent performance
Using Postgres, you can easily perform write operations concurrently without requiring write/read locking techniques. Support for simultaneous connections and preventing data corruption are essential features of PostgreSQL, which is done using MVCC. In this way, each transaction happens simultaneously without affecting another transaction.
Also, the indexes used in this system increase the processing speed of queries that deal with a lot of data. In fact, with an index, a specific row can be accessed directly without the need to examine individual rows and blocks.
Even the expression index feature allows the developer to work on the result of an expression or function instead of the value of a column. In addition, support for partial indexes, parallelization of read queries, JIT compilation of statements, and nested transactions allow PostgreSQL to achieve high performance and efficiency.
Data recovery from external sources
Another notable feature of Postgres is the ability to retrieve data from an external source. This resource can be a file system, a relational database, or a web service. In addition, this system supports external Datawrappers, which allow the database to be connected to external databases or streams using regular SQL.
schema support
Using several databases is associated with risks, one of which is the similarity of the names of variables or objects. Fortunately, PostgreSQL solves the problem with schema support. Schemas in Postgres are similar to namespaces in software development and allow you to use two objects or variables with the same names without errors.
high security
Another area where this database management system excels is security. Various authentication methods, such as GSSAPI, SSPI, LDAP, SCRAM-SHA-256, certificates, etc., are related to Postgres and can be used individually or in combination. Also, by using the access options, different roles can be assigned to each user, and this access can be so small that, for example, they have access to certain columns or rows.
PostgreSQL database architecture
The central server (postmaster) manages all database files and connections created to communicate with the database server. Users also need a suitable client program to connect to it.
This server has a very simple structure and consists of shared memory, background processes, and a list of data structures.
First, the client sends the request to the server. The PostgreSQL server then processes the data using shared buffers and background processes. The physical file of this server is then stored in the data structure directory. Maybe this explanation is a little stupid for you, but don’t worry; this stupidity will disappear by examining every component.
The following image is related to the structure of this system, and how they are implemented and interact with each other is also checked:
Shared memory
This memory is responsible for storing the transaction log and the database, which has elements such as shared buffers, WAL buffers, working memory, and maintenance working memory. Let’s look at the function of each of these elements:
Shared buffers
The shared buffer minimizes server disk input and output. Data access is faster when the most used blocks are placed in this buffer. Allocating 25% of the total memory for the buffer provides enough space for access. When several users request access, the possibility of their conflicting access to the desired data is minimized.
WAL buffers
These buffers temporarily store database changes. The WAL file contains the contents of this buffer written at a predetermined time. WAL files and buffers are important for data recovery during backup and restore.
Working memory
This memory space is used for bitmap operations, sorting, merging links, and hashing to write data to temporary files.
Maintenance of working memory
This part of memory is used for database-related operations such as ANALYZE, VACUUM, ALTER TABLE, and CREATE INDEX.
Background processes
Each background process is integrated and performs unique operations for server management. Here are some important background processes:
Background Writer – update reports and information
WAL Writer – writing buffered WAL data to permanent memory and erasing it from the buffer periodically
Archiver – copying WAL log files to a specific directory (if enabled, of course)
Logger/Logging Collector – Write WAL buffer to WAL file
List of data structures
PostgreSQL has several databases that form a database cluster. The template0, template1, and Postgres databases are created when initialization is done. New databases are created through template databases. The contents of two databases, template0 and template1, are the same during initialization, but the user can only use template1 to create the objects they need. So, the user database is created by simulating the template1 database. The data required for the cluster is stored in the cluster data directory called PGDATA.
What areas is PostgreSQL suitable for?
If you need complex queries and relationships that need to be updated regularly, and the process of maintaining them is cost-effective, PostgreSQL is the right choice for you. This system is free and cross-platform, and Windows, Linux, and Mac OS platforms support it.
Postgres also performs well in data analysis and provides many regular expressions as a basis for analytical work.
Among the most common applications of this database system in the modern world, the following can be mentioned:
Geographic data
The PostGIS Geospatial plugin plays an important role in this field. Because it supports geographic objects, it can be a source of location-based data storage for geographic information systems and location-based services.
Financial industry
This system is one of the ideal options for the financial industry. It is also suitable for OLTP (online transaction processing) due to its compatibility with ACID, as the databases related to these areas must be frequently written, read, and updated. And generally, they need fast processing. Also, the ability to integrate this system with mathematical calculation software, such as
Scientific data
If you work in a scientific field, you will deal with terabytes of data for analysis and correct conclusions, which requires a powerful tool. PostgreSQL is a great tool that helps you easily manage large amounts of data using its powerful SQL engine.
Manufacturing
Many startups and large companies use PostgreSQL as the leading solution for storing data related to their products, applications, and services. This DBMS can be used as a storage backup to optimize supply chain performance and reduce the cost of operations necessary for their business.
Is PostgreSQL suitable for website hosting, and how does it work?
Websites often receive hundreds or thousands of requests per second. Developers looking for an affordable and scalable solution can sigh relief with PostgreSQL. This DBMS can run dynamic sites and applications as part of a powerful alternative to the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, PostgreSQL, PHP, Python, and Perl).
In this way, web hosting is supported by a set of technologies called the web stack. These technologies include an operating system, a web server, a programming language, and a database. These four technologies work together to make your website perform well. PostgreSQL is a very powerful alternative for the database part of the website.
Software products from these four areas combine to create a functional architecture that hosts your website. LAMP is the most popular stack for Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, Python, or Perl. The LAPP stack will be created if we use PostgreSQL instead of MySQL in this stack.
You can easily use the LAPP stack to enhance the performance of your dynamic website or web application.
Also, it is worth mentioning that if you have decided to use a virtual server to improve the performance and speed of your website pages, and have considered the LAPP stack for your site, you must be sure that your virtual server is PostgreSQL. Supports.
What projects is PostgreSQL suitable for?
Postgres is a stable and flexible database management system that can be used in various scenarios. Its object-relational nature makes it safe to operate in various applications. For example, the integrated transaction feature and MVCC (multiple concurrent control) support make PostgreSQL an excellent solution for online banking software.
This DBMS works with suitable web project frameworks such as Django, Node.js, or Ruby on Rails and supports popular languages such as PHP. In addition, the support of synchronous and asynchronous data copy makes it easy to distribute data stored on multiple servers and provides high flexibility and quick access to important website data.
How to start using PostgreSQL
In general, there are two ways to access PostgreSQL:
First, get a hosting plan that supports the Postgres database.
Second, download and install the PostgreSQL software on your desktop or virtual server.
Because PostgreSQL is compatible with all major operating systems, you do not have any limitations in this field. To download it, it is enough to visit the official website of PostgreSQL.
After installation, there are programs you can use to manage and interact with this DBMS.
You can use the psql command line tool if you have root access. Using this tool, the answers received from the server are presented to you in the form of text. Overall, psql is the best yet most complex way to manage a Postgres database.
If the complexity of this method scares you, you can use pgAdmin or a similar program. These programs can be installed on the system and allow you to interact with the database using a graphical interface.
phpPgAdmin is another management tool that is especially popular in web hosting. It allows you to manage your database through a browser tab. phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin have similar designs because phpPgAdmin is implemented based on phpMyAdmin.
Most modern web frameworks, such as PHP, Hibernate, NodeJS, and Django, allow you to connect to a Postgres database and interact with its data and objects.
Conclusion
For several decades, PostgreSQL has become an object-relational database system with various updates and developments, and due to its powerful features and capabilities, it has achieved significant compatibility and stability. In general, the power of this system in managing complex queries and voluminous data has made it a very good option for processing financial transactions, analyzing scientific data, and large and high-traffic business websites.
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