<partintro>

<para>

Welcome to the <productname>PostgreSQL</productname> Tutorial. The

following few chapters areintended to givea simple introduction

tutorial isintended to givean introduction

to <productname>PostgreSQL</productname>, relational database

concepts, and the SQL language to those who are new to any one of

these aspects. We only assume some general knowledge about how to

use computers. No particular Unix or programming experience is

required. This part is mainly intended to give you some hands-on

experience with important aspects of the

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> system. It makes no attempt

to be a complete or thorough treatment of the topics it covers.

concepts, and the SQL language. We assume some general knowledge about

how to use computers and no particular Unix or programming experience is

required. This tutorial is intended to provide hands-on experience with

important aspects of the <productname>PostgreSQL</productname> system.

It makes no attempt to be a comprehensive treatment of the topics it covers.

</para>

<para>

After you haveworked through this tutorial youmight want to move

on to reading<xref linkend="sql"/> to gain amore formal knowledge

After you havesuccessfully completed this tutorial youwill want to

read the<xref linkend="sql"/>sectionto gain abetter understanding

of the SQL language, or <xref linkend="client-interfaces"/> for

information about developing applicationsfor

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname>. Those whoset up and

manage their ownserver should also read <xref linkend="admin"/>.

information about developing applicationswith

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname>. Those whoprovision and

manage their ownPostgreSQL installation should also read <xref linkend="admin"/>.

</para>

</partintro>

This part describes the use of the <acronym>SQL</acronym> language

in <productname>PostgreSQL</productname>. We start with

describing the general syntax of <acronym>SQL</acronym>, 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

<acronym>SQL</acronym> commands. The rest treats several

aspects that are important for tuning a database for optimal

performance.

how to create tables, how to populate the database, and how to

query it. The middle part lists the available data types and

functions for use in <acronym>SQL</acronym> commands. Lastly,

we address several aspects of importance for tuning a database.

</para>

<para>

The informationin this partis arranged so that a novice user can

follow it start to endto gain a full understanding of the topics

The information is arranged so that a novice user can

follow itfromstart to endand 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 informationin this

part is presentedinanarrativefashion in topical units.

Readers looking for a completedescription of a particular command

should see <xref linkend="reference"/>.

chapters individually as they choose. The informationis presented

in narrativeform with topical units. Readers looking for a complete

description of a particular command are encouraged to review

the <xref linkend="reference"/>.

</para>

<para>

Readersof this partshould know how to connect to a

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> database and issue

Readers should know how to connect to a

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> database and issue

<acronym>SQL</acronym> commands. Readers that are unfamiliar with

these issues are encouraged to read <xref linkend="tutorial"/>

first. <acronym>SQL</acronym> commands are typically entered

<partintro>

<para>

This part covers topics that are of interest to a

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname>databaseadministrator. This includes

installationof thesoftware, set up and configurationofthe

server, management of usersand databases, and maintenance tasks.

Anyone who runs a<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> server, even for

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> administrator. This includes

installation, configurationof theserver, managementofusers

and databases, and maintenance tasks. Anyone running

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> server, even for

personal use, but especially in production, should be familiar

withthe topics covered in this part.

withthese topics.

</para>

<para>

The informationin this part is arranged approximately inthe

order in whicha new user should read it.But thechapters are

self-contained andcan be read individually as desired. The

informationinthis part is presented in a narrative fashion in

particular command should see<xref linkend="reference"/>.

The informationattempts to be in the order inwhich

a new user should read it.Thechapters are self-contained and

can be read individually as desired. The information is presented

in a narrative formintopical units. Readers looking for a complete

<xref linkend="reference"/>.

</para>

<para>

The first few chapters are written so they can be understood

without prerequisite knowledge, so new users who need to set

up their own server can begin their exploration withthispart.

The rest of thispart is about tuning and management; that material

up their own server can begin their exploration. The rest ofthis

part is about tuning and management; that material

assumes that the reader is familiar with the general use of

the <productname>PostgreSQL</productname> database system. Readers are

encouragedto look at <xref linkend="tutorial"/> and <xref

linkend="sql"/> for additional information.

encouragedreview the <xref linkend="tutorial"/> and <xref

linkend="sql"/>partsfor additional information.

</para>

</partintro>

<para>

This part describes the client programming interfaces distributed

with <productname>PostgreSQL</productname>. Each of these chapters can be

read independently.Note that thereare manyother programming

interfaces for client programs that are distributed separately and

read independently.Thereare manyexternal programming

interfaces for client programs that are distributed separately. They

contain their own documentation (<xref linkend="external-projects"/>

lists some of the more popular ones). Readers of this part should be

familiar with using <acronym>SQL</acronym>commandsto manipulate

familiar with using <acronym>SQL</acronym> to manipulate

and query the database (see <xref linkend="sql"/>) and of course

with the programming languagethat the interface uses.

with the programming languageof their choice.

</para>

</partintro>

<para>

This part is about extending the server functionality with

user-defined functions, data types, triggers, etc. These are

advanced topics which shouldprobablybe approached only after all

advanced topics which should be approached only after all

the other user documentation about <productname>PostgreSQL</productname> has

been understood. Later chapters in this part describe the server-side

programming languages available in the

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> distribution as well as

general issues concerning server-side programming languages. It

general issues concerning server-side programming. It

is essential to read at least the earlier sections of <xref

linkend="extend"/> (covering functions) before diving into the

material about server-side programming languages.

material about server-side programming.

</para>

</partintro>