Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL
- Last updated: Mon Nov 21 15:54:10 EST 2005
+ Last updated: Mon Nov 21 16:01:05 EST 2005
General Questions
1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?
- 1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
- 1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
- 1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
- 1.5) What is the latest release?
- 1.6) Where can I get support?
- 1.7) How do I submit a bug report?
- 1.8) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
- 1.9) What documentation is available?
- 1.10) How can I learn SQL?
- 1.11) How do I join the development team?
- 1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
- 1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL?
+ 1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?
+ 1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
+ 1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
+ 1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
+ 1.6) What is the latest release?
+ 1.7) Where can I get support?
+ 1.8) How do I submit a bug report?
+ 1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
+ 1.10) What documentation is available?
+ 1.11) How can I learn SQL?
+ 1.12) How do I join the development team?
+ 1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
User Client Questions
company. To get involved, see the developer's FAQ at
http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html
- 1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
+ 1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically, it
allows users to do anything they want with the code, including
CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT,
UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.
- 1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
+ 1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
In general, any modern Unix-compatible platform should be able to run
PostgreSQL. The platforms that had received explicit testing at the
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgre
SQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F.
- 1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
+ 1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
Via web browser, use http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/, and via ftp, use
ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/.
- 1.6) Where can I get support?
+ 1.7) Where can I get support?
The PostgreSQL community provides assistance to many of its users via
email. The main web site to subscribe to the email lists is
A list of commercial support companies is available at
http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php.
- 1.7) How do I submit a bug report?
+ 1.8) How do I submit a bug report?
Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at
http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug.
Also check out our ftp site ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/ to see if
there is a more recent PostgreSQL version.
- 1.5) What is the latest release?
+ 1.6) What is the latest release?
- The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.
+ The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.1
We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases every
few months.
- 1.9) What documentation is available?
+ 1.10) What documentation is available?
PostgreSQL includes extensive documentation, including a large manual,
manual pages, and some test examples. See the /doc directory. You can
Our web site contains even more documentation.
- 1.8) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
+ 1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of SQL:2003. See our TODO list
for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.
- 1.10) How can I learn SQL?
+ 1.11) How can I learn SQL?
First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above. Another
one is "Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days, Second Edition" at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/graeme_birchall/HTM_COOK.HTM,
and at http://sqlcourse.com.
- 1.11) How do I join the development team?
+ 1.12) How do I join the development team?
See the Developer's FAQ.
- 1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
+ 1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
There are several ways of measuring software: features, performance,
reliability, support, and price.
community, manuals, and the source code often make PostgreSQL
support superior to other DBMSs. There is commercial
per-incident support available for those who need it. (See FAQ
- section 1.6.)
+ section 1.7.)
Price
We are free for all use, both commercial and non-commercial.
You can add our code to your product with no limitations,
except those outlined in our BSD-style license stated above.
- 1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL?
+ 1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?
If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, or
controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a core