Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL

Last updated: Mon Nov 2115:54:10 EST 2005

Last updated: Mon Nov 2116:01:05 EST 2005

Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (pgman@candle.pha.pa.us)

General Questions

1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?

1.2)What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?

1.3) Whatplatforms does PostgreSQL support?

1.4)Where can I getPostgreSQL?

1.5)What is the latest release?

1.6)Where can I get support?

1.7)How do Isubmit a bug report?

1.8) How do Ifind out about known bugs or missing features?

1.9)What documentation is available?

1.10)How can I learn SQL?

1.11) Howdo Ijoin the development team?

1.12) Howdoes PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?

1.13)Who controls PostgreSQL?

1.2)Who controls PostgreSQL?

1.3) Whatis the copyright of PostgreSQL?

1.4)What platforms doesPostgreSQL support?

1.5)Where can I get PostgreSQL?

1.6)What is the latest release?

1.7)Where can Iget support?

1.8) How do Isubmit a bug report?

1.9)How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?

1.10)What documentation is available?

1.11) Howcan Ilearn SQL?

1.12) Howdo 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

alink="#0000ff">

<H1>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL</H1>

<P>Last updated: Mon Nov 2115:54:10 EST 2005</P>

<P>Last updated: Mon Nov 2116:01:05 EST 2005</P>

<P>Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (<Ahref=

"mailto:pgman@candle.pha.pa.us">pgman@candle.pha.pa.us</A>)

<H2align="center">General Questions</H2>

<Ahref="#1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.5">1.5</A>) What is the latest release?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I get support?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.7">1.7</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.8">1.8</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or

<Ahref="#1.2">1.2</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.3">1.3</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.4">1.4</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.6">1.6</A>) What is the latest release?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.7">1.7</A>) Where can I get support?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.8">1.8</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or

missing features?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.9">1.9</A>) What documentation is available?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn<SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other

<Ahref="#1.10">1.10</A>) What documentation is available?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.11">1.11</A>) How can I learn<SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.12">1.12</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.13">1.13</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other

<SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?<BR>

<Ahref="#1.13">1.13</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>

<H2align="center">User Client Questions</H2>

http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html</A>

<H3><Aname="1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of

<H3><Aname="1.3">1.3</A>) What is the copyright of

PostgreSQL?</H3>

<P>PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically,

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE,

SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.4">1.4</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?</H3>

<P>In general, any modern Unix-compatible platform should be able to

run PostgreSQL. The platforms that had received explicit testing at

"http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&amp;button=Search&amp;key=postgreSQL&amp;stype=all&amp;sort=type&amp;dir=%2F">

http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&amp;button=Search&amp;key=postgreSQL&amp;stype=all&amp;sort=type&amp;dir=%2F</a>.</p>

<H3><Aname="1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3>

<P>Via web browser, use<ahref="http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/">

http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/</a>, and via ftp, use

<Ahref="ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/">

ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A>.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I get support?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.7">1.7</A>) Where can I get support?</H3>

<P>The PostgreSQL community provides assistance to many of its users

via email. The main web site to subscribe to the email lists is

"http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php">

http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php</A>.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.7">1.7</A>) How do I submit a bug report?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.8">1.8</A>) How do I submit a bug report?</H3>

<P>Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at<Ahref=

"http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug">

"ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/">ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A> to

see if there is a more recent PostgreSQL version.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.5">1.5</A>) What is the latest release?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.6">1.6</A>) What is the latest release?</H3>

<P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.</P>

<P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.1</P>

<P>We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases

every few months.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.9">1.9</A>) What documentation is available?</H3>

<H3><Aname="1.10">1.10</A>) What documentation is available?</H3>

<P>PostgreSQL includes extensive documentation, including a large

manual, manual pages, and some test examples. See the<I>/doc</I>

<P>Our web site contains even more documentation.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.8">1.8</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or

<H3><Aname="1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or

missing features?</H3>

<P>PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of<SMALL>SQL:2003</SMALL>.

See our<Ahref="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>

list for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn

<H3><Aname="1.11">1.11</A>) How can I learn

<SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?</H3>

<P>First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above.

and at<Ahref=

"http://sqlcourse.com/">http://sqlcourse.com.</A></P>

<H3><Aname="1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development

<H3><Aname="1.12">1.12</A>) How do I join the development

team?</H3>

<P>See the<ahref="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html">

Developer's FAQ</A>.</P>

<H3><Aname="1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other

<H3><Aname="1.13">1.13</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other

<SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?</H3>

<P>There are several ways of measuring software: features,

community, manuals, and the source code often make PostgreSQL

support superior to other<SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s. There is

commercial per-incident support available for those who need it.

(See<Ahref="#1.6">FAQ section 1.6</A>.)<BR>

(See<Ahref="#1.7">FAQ section 1.7</A>.)<BR>

<H3><Aname="1.13">1.13</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>

<H3><Aname="1.2">1.2</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>

<P>If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee,

or controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a