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

tutorial is intended to give an introduction

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

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

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.

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>

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

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

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

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>

follow it from start to end and 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 information is presented

in narrative form with topical units. Readers looking for a complete

description of a particular command are encouraged to review

chapters individually as they choose. The information is presented

in narrative form with topical units. Readers looking for a complete

description of a particular command are encouraged to review

the <xref linkend="reference"/>.

</para>

<para>

Readers should know how to connect to a

<productname>PostgreSQL</productname> database and issue

<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

<para>

This part covers topics that are of interest to a

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

installation, configuration of the server, management of users

and databases, and maintenance tasks. Anyone running

installation, configuration of the server, management of users

and databases, and maintenance tasks. Anyone running

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

personal use, but especially in production, should be familiar

with these topics.

</para>

<para>

The information attempts to be in the order in which

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

can be read individually as desired. The information is presented

in a narrative form in topical units. Readers looking for a complete

description of a command are encouraged to review the

The information attempts to be in the order in which

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

can be read individually as desired. The information is presented

in a narrative form in topical units. Readers looking for a complete

description of a command are encouraged to review the

<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. The rest of this

up their own server can begin their exploration. The rest of this

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

This part describes the client programming interfaces distributed

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

read independently. There are many external programming

interfaces for client programs that are distributed separately. They

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> to manipulate