Learn PostgreSQL Second Edition, written by giants in the PostgreSQL industry, Luca Ferrari and Enrico Pirozzi is a large book spanning 19 chapters, but definitely worth the time to ingest the material which covers specific topics of all things PostgreSQL relational database management from the history of PostgreSQL to installation, configuration, maintenance, operations and replication. The authors begin with the history starting from Ingres in 1986 to Post Ingres in the mid nineties to eventually PostgreSQL. This book largely covers PostgreSQL 16, an open source, yet robust RDBMS which can amass a tremendous amount of data in a single instance; up to 32TB. Although it's Open Source in design, PostgreSQL is also capable for closed source environments for specific applications. Each chapter is written with specific and concise examples that are easy to follow along. I recommend that reader, user or administrator have some basic knowledge of Linux, Unix and SQL experience to successfully follow along in this book. Unlike some materials, the authors didn't bother to compare PostgreSQL to SQL Server, Oracle, NOSQL or other relational database applications, but rather win you over with explaining its ease of use and robust architecture.
The authors makes no assumption that the reader is an experienced database administrator but rather do a great job in opening the hood of the PostgreSQL architecture, providing concise definitions for PostgreSQL's Cluster, Postmaster, BackEnd Process, Catalogs, WALS (Write-Ahead-Logs, Docker Image container and PGDATA file structure. The pg_ctl command is great for performing system operations on the cluster like starts, stops, restart and maintenance tools similar to how other software servers recommend their management in the absence of a GUI. There are other command clients and GUIs that are available to manage PostgreSQL but, PostgresSQL recommends and uses PSQL as its' native command line client which allows for connection, interaction and administration of the database and cluster. Learn PostgreSQL begins with the installation from binary files to configuration, creation of template databases, configuration of log files, filesystem, client connections and thoroughly explains how the Postmaster is responsible for executing other backend processes in sequence and orderly fashion. There are a lot of useful tools and configuration files that PSQL accesses to accommodate everything from connectivity of a particular user, referencing an IP address or host server name, managing indexes, disaster recovery, replication, table cleanups, system monitoring and performance tuning.
I've read many SQL Server books and although there are some great ones out there, very few will give you an exhaustive body of work that will explain the functionality as well as this book does. After completing each chapter and corresponding examples in this book, the reader will not only become an expert at PostgreSQL, but also an RDBMS expert because the principles discussed in this body of work are universal and key to also understanding SQL Server and Oracle as well. This is a must read for all database administrators and developers interested in learning PostgreSQL I suggest that you have your Linux machine ready to go for the examples. Great book overall.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Frequently bought together
$34.19
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
How does this book differ from the other PostgreSQL books out there?
This book takes readers through the entire PostgreSQL ecosystem. It is divided into several parts, each dedicated to different knowledge levels. It starts with an introduction to PostgreSQL and what it actually is, explaining how to install and run it. Next, the book explores numerous statements and techniques, ranging from beginner to advanced queries. Readers will not only learn how to use but also how to get the best out of a PostgreSQL database.
There's a section dedicated to the administration of a PostgreSQL cluster that focuses on the more advanced side of things, for example, how to spot slow queries or perform regular maintenance on a cluster (including backing up and restoring). At the end of the book, readers will learn how to perform replication of their cluster, both in a physical and logical way. But this is not a book tied to "only" PostgreSQL, it provides hints and tips for several external tools that can be useful in the day-to-day work of a database administrator.
How has the PostgreSQL landscape changed since the last edition was published and what's new in this edition?
The previous edition was based on PostgreSQL 12 and 13, while this edition looks at PostgreSQL 16 (and beyond). We have witnessed 3 years of improvement in PostgreSQL! There are so many changes that we could not possibly list them all here. But partitioning and replication are probably the biggest aspects that have had improvements since the previous edition of the book. The way they work has been greatly enhanced during the intervening years.
Besides a natural upgrade to all the content, and of course the code examples, this edition follows a more streamlined and structured approach. There’s a set of Docker images for all the main sections of the book so that readers can quickly fire up a benchmarking environment and follow along with every code example. We've also added revision questions at the end of each chapter to help readers reinforce their knowledge of concepts at every stage of the book.
What can readers accomplish after completing this book?
Any reader will be able to autonomously install, configure, manage, and develop applications against a PostgreSQL database. Moreover, most of the concepts explained in this book can be applied to other database systems and environments, which will add versatility to their skills and help them succeed in the database field.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Excellent
"Learn PostgreSQL" is an in-depth and informative 19-chapter guide covering the entire spectrum of PostgreSQL database management. It traces PostgreSQL's evolution from its Ingres roots in 1986 to the advanced features of PostgreSQL 16. This book, ideal for both novices and experienced administrators, thoroughly explains PostgreSQL's architecture, including Clusters, Postmasters, Backend Processes, and more, with a focus on its native command-line client, PSQL. Its clear, example-laden content is best appreciated with some Linux, Unix, and SQL knowledge. This guide not only makes you proficient in PostgreSQL but also enriches your understanding of RDBMS principles relevant to other databases. A must-read for anyone keen on mastering PostgreSQL and applying it effectively.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023
