PostgreSQL

In our everyday lives, we are more reliant on computer systems than ever before, with much of our data being stored in online databases. For organizations that work with such data, it can be a challenge to store it in an accessible and efficient way. PostgreSQL is a database system that mitigates much of this challenge by offering an accessible, relational database solution.

Discover what PostgreSQL is, along with its key features and use cases, with Micron.

What is PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL definition: PostgreSQL is a sophisticated database management system designed to facilitate the efficient storage and management of organizational data.

PostgreSQL is an example of a highly developed ​​relational database system that stores complex datasets in a descriptive and intuitive way, highlighting relationships between data points. It is open source, meaning that it is publicly accessible and available, so anyone can use it and adapt the code to their needs.

Although PostgreSQL, also known as Postgres, is a relational database management system (RMDBS), it surpasses the capabilities of most other relational databases. Postgres supports both relational and non-relational data, offering greater flexibility, compliance and usability than most types of RMDBSs.

Many people opt to use PostgreSQL due to the number of features it offers that most types of RMDBS lack. Point-in-time recovery allows users to restore the database to a historic version as the database logs changes in a detailed, systematic way.

PostgreSQL also supports multiple procedural languages, which provides flexibility to developers using the system. The additional language options also leave developers free to work in programming languages that suit them and their projects.

How does PostgreSQL work?

As previously mentioned, PostgreSQL is primarily a relational database. It stores large datasets in a manner that identifies and highlights the relationships between data points. PostgreSQL supports a variety of data types and ensures extremely secure and stable data hosting, allowing organizations to store their data in tables.

PostgreSQL works on a client-server model, which allows the server to be hosted separately from the client user and lets multiple clients connect to the server simultaneously. This architecture facilitates connection to the database, permitting individual users to access the database and have their requests processed independently from others, while also enabling remote connectivity.

What is the history of PostgreSQL?

Relational databases were developed in the late 20th century, with the first RDMBS being introduced in the late 1970s. The development of PostgreSQL began in the 1980s and continued for the next couple of decades. 

• 1985, beginnings of PostgreSQL: Michael Stonebraker, a prominent computer scientist, played a crucial role in developing relational databases. Following his work on the Ingres database project, which was a pioneering effort in relational database space, Michael Stonebraker returned to the University of California to start a related project in 1985. Ingres, developed at UC Berkeley in the early 1970s, was one of the first relational database management systems and introduced the QUEL query language. The success and insights gained from Ingres laid the groundwork for PostgreSQL, which aimed to address some of the limitations of its predecessor and further advance database technology.
• Late 1980s, development of computational systems: While initial research was being conducted and presented within the industry, engineers were designing, building and developing the first iterations of PostgreSQL and identifying issues and opportunities for innovation.
• 1994, end of the project: By 1994, multiple versions of the system had been released, with version 4.2 representing minor cleanups to the database. At this time, the program was released under an MIT license variant that enabled developers to use the code for their purposes.

What are key types of PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL is an individual technology program. Although it has had several versions and iterations over the years, it remains a single database rather than an overarching technology type.

How is PostgreSQL used?

PostgreSQL is a highly dynamic and versatile relational database system used globally, offering a broad spectrum of use cases across various industries. 

Online transaction processing (OLTP) is a common use case of PostgreSQL. In this case, the database allows organizations to store and manage data interlinking users with their online behavior to identify patterns and trends. This use includes e-commerce transactions, customer relationship management systems tracking people’s interaction with content, and traditional financial transactions.

PostgreSQL has a high level of compliance and security, making it a popular choice within the healthcare, legal and finance industries. Data security has become a hot topic, especially for those organizations that handle and store sensitive customer data. PostgreSQL is a solution offering accessible, dynamic storage of sensitive data in a secure manner.

One of the key benefits of PostgreSQL is its dynamism and flexibility. It seamlessly integrates multiple languages, data types and systems. This versatility makes PostgreSQL a valuable solution for integrating and consolidating different databases, effectively reducing the need for data transference, translation and cleanup.