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Update 8.1.X FAQs.
This commit is contained in:
Bruce Momjian
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doc/FAQ
@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL
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Last updated: Fri Nov 4 20:35:04 EST 2005
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Last updated: Tue Nov 22 11:26:48 EST 2005
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Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (pgman@candle.pha.pa.us)
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@ -15,18 +15,18 @@
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General Questions
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1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?
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1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
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1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
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1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
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1.5) Where can I get support?
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1.6) How do I submit a bug report?
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1.7) What is the latest release?
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1.8) What documentation is available?
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1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?
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1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
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1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
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1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
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1.6) What is the latest release?
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1.7) Where can I get support?
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1.8) How do I submit a bug report?
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1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
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1.10) How can I learn SQL?
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1.11) How do I join the development team?
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1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
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1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL?
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1.10) What documentation is available?
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1.11) How can I learn SQL?
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1.12) How do I join the development team?
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1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
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User Client Questions
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@ -101,13 +101,25 @@
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company. To get involved, see the developer's FAQ at
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http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html
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1.2) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
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1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?
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PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. It has no
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restrictions on how the source code can be used. We like it and have
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no intention of changing it.
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If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, or
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controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a core
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committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for
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administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by the
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community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All you need
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to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the
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discussions. (See the Developer's FAQ for information on how to get
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involved in PostgreSQL development.)
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This is the BSD license we use:
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1.3) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?
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PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically, it
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allows users to do anything they want with the code, including
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reselling binaries without the source code. The only restriction is
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that you not hold us legally liable for problems with the software.
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There is also the requirement that this copyright appear in all copies
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of the software. Here is the actual BSD license we use:
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PostgreSQL Data Base Management System
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@ -134,7 +146,7 @@
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CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT,
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UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.
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1.3) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
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1.4) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?
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In general, any modern Unix-compatible platform should be able to run
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PostgreSQL. The platforms that had received explicit testing at the
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@ -151,12 +163,19 @@
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http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgre
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SQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F.
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1.4) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
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1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?
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Via web browser, use http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/, and via ftp, use
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ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/.
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1.5) Where can I get support?
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1.6) What is the latest release?
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The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.
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We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases every
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few months.
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1.7) Where can I get support?
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The PostgreSQL community provides assistance to many of its users via
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email. The main web site to subscribe to the email lists is
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@ -172,22 +191,56 @@
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A list of commercial support companies is available at
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http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php.
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1.6) How do I submit a bug report?
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1.8) How do I submit a bug report?
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Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at
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http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug.
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http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug. Also check out our ftp
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site ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/ to see if there is a more recent
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PostgreSQL version.
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Also check out our ftp site ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/ to see if
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there is a more recent PostgreSQL version.
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1.7) What is the latest release?
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Bugs submitted using the bug form or posted to any PostgreSQL mailing
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list typically generates one of the following replies:
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* It is not a bug, and why
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* It is a known bug and is already on the TODO list
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* The bug has been fixed in the current release
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* The bug has been fixed but is not packaged yet in an official
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release
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* A request is made for more detailed information:
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+ Operating system
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+ PostgreSQL version
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+ Reproducible test case
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+ Debugging information
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+ Debugger backtrace output
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* The bug is new. The following might happen:
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+ A patch is created and will be included in the next major or
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minor release
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+ The bug cannot be fixed immediately and is added to the TODO
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list
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1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
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The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.
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PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of SQL:2003. See our TODO list
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for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.
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We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases every
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few months.
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A feature request usually results in one of the following replies:
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* The feature is already on the TODO list
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* The feature is not desired because:
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+ It duplicates existing functionality that already follows the
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SQL standard
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+ The feature would increase code complexity but add little
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benefit
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+ The feature would be insecure or unreliable
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* The new feature is added to the TODO list
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PostgreSQL does not use a bug tracking system because we find it more
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efficient to respond directly to email and keep the TODO list
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up-to-date. In practice, bugs don't last very long in the software,
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and bugs that affect a large number of users are fixed rapidly. The
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only place to find all changes, improvements, and fixes in a
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PostgreSQL release is to read the CVS log messages. Even the release
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notes do not list every change made to the software.
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1.8) What documentation is available?
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1.10) What documentation is available?
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PostgreSQL includes extensive documentation, including a large manual,
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manual pages, and some test examples. See the /doc directory. You can
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@ -208,12 +261,7 @@
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Our web site contains even more documentation.
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1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or missing features?
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PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of SQL:2003. See our TODO list
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for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.
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1.10) How can I learn SQL?
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1.11) How can I learn SQL?
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First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above. Another
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one is "Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days, Second Edition" at
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@ -227,11 +275,11 @@
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http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/graeme_birchall/HTM_COOK.HTM,
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and at http://sqlcourse.com.
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1.11) How do I join the development team?
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1.12) How do I join the development team?
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See the Developer's FAQ.
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1.12) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
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1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other DBMSs?
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There are several ways of measuring software: features, performance,
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reliability, support, and price.
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@ -266,23 +314,12 @@
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community, manuals, and the source code often make PostgreSQL
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support superior to other DBMSs. There is commercial
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per-incident support available for those who need it. (See FAQ
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section 1.5.)
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section 1.7.)
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Price
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We are free for all use, both commercial and non-commercial.
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You can add our code to your product with no limitations,
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except those outlined in our BSD-style license stated above.
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1.13) Who controls PostgreSQL?
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If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee, or
|
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controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a core
|
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committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for
|
||||
administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by the
|
||||
community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All you need
|
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to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the
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discussions. (See the Developer's FAQ for information on how to get
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involved in PostgreSQL development.)
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_________________________________________________________________
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User Client Questions
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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From: Zeugswetter Andreas <ZeugswetterA@spardat.at>
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$Date: 2005/12/08 21:36:55 $
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$Date: 2005/12/08 21:37:53 $
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On AIX 4.3.2 PostgreSQL compiled with the native IBM compiler xlc
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(vac.C 5.0.1) passes all regression tests. Other versions of OS and
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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
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Developer's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL
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Last updated: Thu Oct 27 09:48:14 EDT 2005
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Last updated: Tue Nov 22 10:17:51 EST 2005
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Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (pgman@candle.pha.pa.us)
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@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
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alink="#0000ff">
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<H1>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PostgreSQL</H1>
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<P>Last updated: Fri Nov 4 20:35:04 EST 2005</P>
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<P>Last updated: Tue Nov 22 11:26:48 EST 2005</P>
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<P>Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (<A href=
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"mailto:pgman@candle.pha.pa.us">pgman@candle.pha.pa.us</A>)
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@ -26,97 +26,97 @@
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<HR>
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<H2 align="center">General Questions</H2>
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<A href="#1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?<BR>
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<A href="#1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR>
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<A href="#1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get support?<BR>
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<A href="#1.6">1.6</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR>
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<A href="#1.7">1.7</A>) What is the latest release?<BR>
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<A href="#1.8">1.8</A>) What documentation is available?<BR>
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<A href="#1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or
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missing features?<BR>
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<A href="#1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn <SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR>
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<A href="#1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR>
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<A href="#1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other
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<A href="#item1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.2">1.2</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.3">1.3</A>) What is the copyright of PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.4">1.4</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.6">1.6</A>) What is the latest release?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.7">1.7</A>) Where can I get support?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.8">1.8</A>) How do I submit a bug report?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>) How do I find out about known bugs or
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missing features?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.10">1.10</A>) What documentation is available?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.11">1.11</A>) How can I learn <SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.12">1.12</A>) How do I join the development team?<BR>
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<A href="#item1.13">1.13</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other
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<SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?<BR>
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<A href="#1.13">1.13</A>) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<H2 align="center">User Client Questions</H2>
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<A href="#2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for
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<A href="#item2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for
|
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PostgreSQL?<BR>
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<A href="#2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using
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<A href="#item2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using
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PostgreSQL with Web pages?<BR>
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<A href="#2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user
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<A href="#item2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user
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interface?<BR>
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<H2 align="center">Administrative Questions</H2>
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<A href="#3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere other
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<A href="#item3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere other
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than <I>/usr/local/pgsql</I>?<BR>
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<A href="#3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other
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<A href="#item3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other
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hosts?<BR>
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<A href="#3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for
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<A href="#item3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for
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better performance?<BR>
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<A href="#3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR>
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<A href="#3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many
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<A href="#item3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR>
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<A href="#item3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many
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clients"</I> when trying to connect?<BR>
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<A href="#3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore
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<A href="#item3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore
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to upgrade PostgreSQL releases?<BR>
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<A href="#3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?<BR>
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<A href="#item3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?<BR>
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<H2 align="center">Operational Questions</H2>
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<A href="#4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the
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<A href="#item4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the
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first few rows of a query? A random row?<BR>
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<A href="#4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes,
|
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<A href="#item4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes,
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databases, and users are defined? How do I see the queries used
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by <I>psql</I> to display them?<BR>
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<A href="#4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?<BR>
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<A href="#4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a
|
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<A href="#item4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?<BR>
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<A href="#item4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a
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table, and a database?<BR>
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<A href="#4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required
|
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<A href="#item4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required
|
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to store data from a typical text file?<BR>
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<A href="#4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they
|
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<A href="#item4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they
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use my indexes?<BR>
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<A href="#4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is
|
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<A href="#item4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is
|
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evaluating my query?<BR>
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<A href="#4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression
|
||||
<A href="#item4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression
|
||||
searches and case-insensitive regular expression searches? How do I
|
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use an index for case-insensitive searches?<BR>
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<A href="#4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field
|
||||
<A href="#item4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field
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is <SMALL>NULL</SMALL>? How can I sort on whether a field is <SMALL>
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NULL</SMALL> or not?<BR>
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<A href="#4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the
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<A href="#item4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the
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various character types?<BR>
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<A href="#4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a
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<A href="#item4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a
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serial/auto-incrementing field?<BR>
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<A href="#4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a
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<A href="#item4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a
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<SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> insert?<BR>
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<A href="#4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I>
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<A href="#item4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I>
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lead to a race condition with other users?<BR>
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<A href="#4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers
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<A href="#item4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers
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reused on transaction abort? Why are there gaps in the numbering of
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my sequence/SERIAL column?<BR>
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<A href="#4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is a
|
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<A href="#item4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is a
|
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<SMALL>CTID</SMALL>?<BR>
|
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<A href="#4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: Memory
|
||||
<A href="#item4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR: Memory
|
||||
exhausted in AllocSetAlloc()"</I>?<BR>
|
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<A href="#4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version I
|
||||
<A href="#item4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version I
|
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am running?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will
|
||||
<A href="#item4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will
|
||||
default to the current time?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using multiple
|
||||
<A href="#item4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using multiple
|
||||
databases?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or columns
|
||||
<A href="#item4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or columns
|
||||
from a function?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID #####
|
||||
<A href="#item4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID #####
|
||||
does not exist" errors when accessing temporary tables in PL/PgSQL
|
||||
functions?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not
|
||||
<A href="#item4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not
|
||||
recognized in my query?<BR>
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<H2 align="center">General Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.1">1.1</A>) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.1">1.1) What is PostgreSQL? How is it pronounced?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL is pronounced <I>Post-Gres-Q-L</I>, and is also sometimes
|
||||
referred to as just <I>Postgres</I>. An audio file is available in
|
||||
@ -145,14 +145,27 @@
|
||||
http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/faqs/FAQ_DEV.html</A>
|
||||
</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.2">1.2</A>) What is the copyright of
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.2">1.2) Who controls PostgreSQL?<BR></H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>If you are looking for a PostgreSQL gatekeeper, central committee,
|
||||
or controlling company, give up --- there isn't one. We do have a
|
||||
core committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for
|
||||
administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by
|
||||
the community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All
|
||||
you need to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the
|
||||
discussions. (See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html">
|
||||
Developer's FAQ</A> for information on how to get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
development.)</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.3">1.3) What is the copyright of
|
||||
PostgreSQL?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. It has
|
||||
no restrictions on how the source code can be used. We like it and
|
||||
have no intention of changing it.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>This is the BSD license we use:</P>
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL is distributed under the classic BSD license. Basically,
|
||||
it allows users to do anything they want with the code, including
|
||||
reselling binaries without the source code. The only restriction is
|
||||
that you not hold us legally liable for problems with the software.
|
||||
There is also the requirement that this copyright appear in all copies
|
||||
of the software. Here is the actual BSD license we use:</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL Data Base Management System</P>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -178,7 +191,7 @@
|
||||
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE,
|
||||
SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.3">1.3</A>) What platforms does PostgreSQL support?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.4">1.4) 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
|
||||
@ -197,14 +210,21 @@
|
||||
"http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgreSQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F">
|
||||
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?sh=1&button=Search&key=postgreSQL&stype=all&sort=type&dir=%2F</a>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.4">1.4</A>) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.5">1.5) Where can I get PostgreSQL?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Via web browser, use <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/">
|
||||
http://www.postgresql.org/ftp/</a>, and via ftp, use
|
||||
<A href="ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/">
|
||||
ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.5">1.5</A>) Where can I get support?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.6">1.6) What is the latest release?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases
|
||||
every few months.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.7">1.7) 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
|
||||
@ -223,24 +243,82 @@
|
||||
"http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php">
|
||||
http://techdocs.postgresql.org/companies.php</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.6">1.6</A>) How do I submit a bug report?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.8">1.8) How do I submit a bug report?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Visit the PostgreSQL bug form at <A href=
|
||||
"http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug">
|
||||
http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Also check out our ftp site <A href=
|
||||
http://www.postgresql.org/support/submitbug</A>.
|
||||
Also check out our ftp site <A href=
|
||||
"ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/">ftp://ftp.PostgreSQL.org/pub/</A> to
|
||||
see if there is a more recent PostgreSQL version.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.7">1.7</A>) What is the latest release?</H3>
|
||||
<P>Bugs submitted using the bug form or posted to any PostgreSQL mailing
|
||||
list typically generates one of the following replies:</P>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>It is not a bug, and why</li>
|
||||
<li>It is a known bug and is already on the
|
||||
<A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> list</li>
|
||||
<li>The bug has been fixed in the current release</li>
|
||||
<li>The bug has been fixed but is not packaged yet in an official
|
||||
release</li>
|
||||
<li>A request is made for more detailed information:
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>Operating system</li>
|
||||
<li>PostgreSQL version</li>
|
||||
<li>Reproducible test case</li>
|
||||
<li>Debugging information</li>
|
||||
<li>Debugger backtrace output</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
</li>
|
||||
<li>The bug is new. The following might happen:
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>A patch is created and will be included in the next major
|
||||
or minor release</li>
|
||||
<li>The bug cannot be fixed immediately and is added
|
||||
to the <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>
|
||||
list</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.9">1.9) How do I find out about known bugs or
|
||||
missing features?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The latest release of PostgreSQL is version 8.1.</P>
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL supports an extended subset of <SMALL>SQL:2003</SMALL>.
|
||||
See our <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>
|
||||
list for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>We plan to have a major release every year, with minor releases
|
||||
every few months.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.8">1.8</A>) What documentation is available?</H3>
|
||||
<P>A feature request usually results in one of the following
|
||||
replies:</P>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>The feature is already on the
|
||||
<A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>
|
||||
list</li>
|
||||
<li>The feature is not desired because:
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>It duplicates existing functionality that already
|
||||
follows the SQL standard</li>
|
||||
<li>The feature would increase code complexity but add little
|
||||
benefit</li>
|
||||
<li>The feature would be insecure or unreliable</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
</li>
|
||||
<li>The new feature is added to the
|
||||
<A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A> list</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL does not use a bug tracking system because we find
|
||||
it more efficient to respond directly to email and keep the
|
||||
<A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>
|
||||
list up-to-date. In practice, bugs don't last very long in the
|
||||
software, and bugs that affect a large number of users are fixed
|
||||
rapidly. The only place to find all changes, improvements, and
|
||||
fixes in a PostgreSQL release is to read the
|
||||
<a href="http://www.postgresql.org/developer/sourcecode/">CVS</a>
|
||||
log messages. Even the release notes do not list every change
|
||||
made to the software.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.10">1.10) 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>
|
||||
@ -266,14 +344,7 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Our web site contains even more documentation.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="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 <A href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">TODO</A>
|
||||
list for known bugs, missing features, and future plans.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.10">1.10</A>) How can I learn
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.11">1.11) How can I learn
|
||||
<SMALL>SQL</SMALL>?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>First, consider the PostgreSQL-specific books mentioned above.
|
||||
@ -292,13 +363,13 @@
|
||||
and at <A href=
|
||||
"http://sqlcourse.com/">http://sqlcourse.com.</A></P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.11">1.11</A>) How do I join the development
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.12">1.12) How do I join the development
|
||||
team?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html">
|
||||
Developer's FAQ</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.12">1.12</A>) How does PostgreSQL compare to other
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.13">1.13) How does PostgreSQL compare to other
|
||||
<SMALL>DBMS</SMALL>s?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are several ways of measuring software: features,
|
||||
@ -345,7 +416,7 @@
|
||||
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 <A href="#1.5">FAQ section 1.5</A>.)<BR>
|
||||
(See <A href="#item1.7">FAQ section 1.7</A>.)<BR>
|
||||
<BR>
|
||||
</DD>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -358,23 +429,11 @@
|
||||
</DD>
|
||||
</DL>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.13">1.13</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
|
||||
core committee and CVS committers, but these groups are more for
|
||||
administrative purposes than control. The project is directed by
|
||||
the community of developers and users, which anyone can join. All
|
||||
you need to do is subscribe to the mailing lists and participate in the
|
||||
discussions. (See the <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.FAQ_DEV.html">
|
||||
Developer's FAQ</A> for information on how to get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
development.)</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<HR>
|
||||
|
||||
<H2 align="center">User Client Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.1">2.1</A>) What interfaces are available for
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.1">2.1) What interfaces are available for
|
||||
PostgreSQL?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The PostgreSQL install includes only the <SMALL>C</SMALL> and embedded
|
||||
@ -389,7 +448,7 @@
|
||||
in the <I>Drivers/Interfaces</I> section and via Internet search.
|
||||
</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.2">2.2</A>) What tools are available for using
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.2">2.2) What tools are available for using
|
||||
PostgreSQL with Web pages?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>A nice introduction to Database-backed Web pages can be seen at:
|
||||
@ -402,7 +461,7 @@
|
||||
<P>For complex cases, many use the Perl and DBD::Pg with CGI.pm or
|
||||
mod_perl.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.3">2.3</A>) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.3">2.3) Does PostgreSQL have a graphical user
|
||||
interface?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Yes, see <a href="http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/GUITools">
|
||||
@ -414,13 +473,13 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<H2 align="center">Administrative Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.1">3.1</A>) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.1">3.1) How do I install PostgreSQL somewhere
|
||||
other than <I>/usr/local/pgsql</I>?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Specify the <I>--prefix</I> option when running
|
||||
<I>configure</I>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.2">3.2</A>) How do I control connections from other
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.2">3.2) How do I control connections from other
|
||||
hosts?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>By default, PostgreSQL only allows connections from the local
|
||||
@ -430,7 +489,7 @@
|
||||
host-based authentication by modifying the
|
||||
<I>$PGDATA/pg_hba.conf</I> file, and restart the server.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.3">3.3</A>) How do I tune the database engine for
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.3">3.3) How do I tune the database engine for
|
||||
better performance?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are three major areas for potential performance
|
||||
@ -487,14 +546,14 @@
|
||||
</DD>
|
||||
</DL>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.4">3.4</A>) What debugging features are
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.4">3.4) What debugging features are
|
||||
available?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are many <CODE>log_*</CODE> server configuration variables
|
||||
that enable printing of query and process statistics which can be
|
||||
very useful for debugging and performance measurements.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.5">3.5</A>) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.5">3.5) Why do I get <I>"Sorry, too many
|
||||
clients"</I> when trying to connect?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>You have reached the default limit is 100 database sessions. You
|
||||
@ -503,7 +562,7 @@
|
||||
<I>max_connections</I> value in <I>postgresql.conf</I> and
|
||||
restarting the <I>postmaster</I>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.6">3.6</A>) Why do I need to do a dump and restore
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.6">3.6) Why do I need to do a dump and restore
|
||||
to upgrade between major PostgreSQL releases?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The PostgreSQL team makes only small changes between minor releases,
|
||||
@ -514,7 +573,7 @@
|
||||
data in a generic format that can then be loaded in using the new internal
|
||||
format.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="3.7">3.7</A>) What computer hardware should I use?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item3.7">3.7) What computer hardware should I use?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Because PC hardware is mostly compatible, people tend to believe that
|
||||
all PC hardware is of equal quality. It is not. ECC RAM, SCSI, and
|
||||
@ -528,7 +587,7 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<H2 align="center">Operational Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.1">4.1</A>) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.1">4.1) How do I <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL> only the
|
||||
first few rows of a query? A random row?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>To retrieve only a few rows, if you know at the number of rows
|
||||
@ -547,7 +606,7 @@
|
||||
LIMIT 1;
|
||||
</PRE>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.2">4.2</A>) How do I find out what tables, indexes,
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.2">4.2) How do I find out what tables, indexes,
|
||||
databases, and users are defined? How do I see the queries used
|
||||
by <I>psql</I> to display them?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -570,7 +629,7 @@
|
||||
illustrates many of the <SMALL>SELECT</SMALL>s needed to get
|
||||
information from the database system tables.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.3">4.3</A>) How do you change a column's data type?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.3">4.3) How do you change a column's data type?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Changing the data type of a column can be done easily in 8.0
|
||||
and later with <SMALL>ALTER TABLE ALTER COLUMN TYPE</SMALL>.</P>
|
||||
@ -586,7 +645,7 @@
|
||||
<P>You might then want to do <I>VACUUM FULL tab</I> to reclaim the
|
||||
disk space used by the expired rows.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.4">4.4</A>) What is the maximum size for a row, a
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.4">4.4) What is the maximum size for a row, a
|
||||
table, and a database?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>These are the limits:</P>
|
||||
@ -623,7 +682,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
of an MD5 hash of the long column, and full text indexing
|
||||
allows for searching of words within the column.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.5">4.5</A>) How much database disk space is required
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.5">4.5) How much database disk space is required
|
||||
to store data from a typical text file?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>A PostgreSQL database may require up to five times the disk
|
||||
@ -660,7 +719,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
<P><SMALL>NULL</SMALL>s are stored as bitmaps, so they
|
||||
use very little space.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.6">4.6</A>) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.6">4.6) Why are my queries slow? Why don't they
|
||||
use my indexes?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Indexes are not used by every query. Indexes are used only if the
|
||||
@ -711,7 +770,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
e.g. [a-e].</LI>
|
||||
<LI>Case-insensitive searches such as <SMALL>ILIKE</SMALL> and
|
||||
<I>~*</I> do not utilize indexes. Instead, use expression
|
||||
indexes, which are described in section <a href="#4.8">4.8</a>.</LI>
|
||||
indexes, which are described in section <a href="#item4.8">4.8</a>.</LI>
|
||||
<LI>The default <I>C</I> locale must be used during
|
||||
<i>initdb</i> because it is not possible to know the next-greatest
|
||||
character in a non-C locale. You can create a special
|
||||
@ -724,12 +783,12 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
types exactly match the index's column types. This was particularly
|
||||
true of int2, int8, and numeric column indexes.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.7">4.7</A>) How do I see how the query optimizer is
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.7">4.7) How do I see how the query optimizer is
|
||||
evaluating my query?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>See the <SMALL>EXPLAIN</SMALL> manual page.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.8">4.8</A>) How do I perform regular expression
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.8">4.8) How do I perform regular expression
|
||||
searches and case-insensitive regular expression searches? How do I
|
||||
use an index for case-insensitive searches?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -756,7 +815,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
case to be stored in the column, use a <SMALL>CHECK</SMALL>
|
||||
constraint or a trigger.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.9">4.9</A>) In a query, how do I detect if a field
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.9">4.9) In a query, how do I detect if a field
|
||||
is <SMALL>NULL</SMALL>? How can I sort on whether a field is <SMALL>
|
||||
NULL</SMALL> or not?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -780,7 +839,7 @@ table?</TD><TD>unlimited</TD></TR>
|
||||
ORDER BY (col IS NOT NULL)
|
||||
</PRE>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.10">4.10</A>) What is the difference between the
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.10">4.10) What is the difference between the
|
||||
various character types?</H3>
|
||||
<BLOCKQUOTE>
|
||||
<TABLE>
|
||||
@ -816,7 +875,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
particularly values that include <SMALL>NULL</SMALL> bytes. All the
|
||||
types described here have similar performance characteristics.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.11.1">4.11.1</A>) How do I create a
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.11.1">4.11.1) How do I create a
|
||||
serial/auto-incrementing field?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL supports a <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> data type. It
|
||||
@ -841,13 +900,13 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
See the <I>create_sequence</I> manual page for more information
|
||||
about sequences.
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.11.2">4.11.2</A>) How do I get the value of a
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.11.2">4.11.2) How do I get the value of a
|
||||
<SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> insert?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>One approach is to retrieve the next <SMALL>SERIAL</SMALL> value
|
||||
from the sequence object with the <I>nextval()</I> function
|
||||
<I>before</I> inserting and then insert it explicitly. Using the
|
||||
example table in <A href="#4.11.1">4.11.1</A>, an example in a
|
||||
example table in <A href="#item4.11.1">4.11.1</A>, an example in a
|
||||
pseudo-language would look like this:</P>
|
||||
<PRE>
|
||||
new_id = execute("SELECT nextval('person_id_seq')");
|
||||
@ -870,13 +929,13 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
new_id = execute("SELECT currval('person_id_seq')");
|
||||
</PRE>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.11.3">4.11.3</A>) Doesn't <I>currval()</I>
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.11.3">4.11.3) Doesn't <I>currval()</I>
|
||||
lead to a race condition with other users?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>No. <I>currval()</I> returns the current value assigned by your
|
||||
session, not by all sessions.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.11.4">4.11.4</A>) Why aren't my sequence numbers
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.11.4">4.11.4) Why aren't my sequence numbers
|
||||
reused on transaction abort? Why are there gaps in the numbering of
|
||||
my sequence/SERIAL column?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -885,7 +944,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
completes. This causes gaps in numbering from aborted
|
||||
transactions.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.12">4.12</A>) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.12">4.12) What is an <SMALL>OID</SMALL>? What is
|
||||
a <SMALL>CTID</SMALL>?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Every row that is created in PostgreSQL gets a unique
|
||||
@ -908,7 +967,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
are modified or reloaded. They are used by index entries to point
|
||||
to physical rows.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.13">4.13</A>) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR:
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.13">4.13) Why do I get the error <I>"ERROR:
|
||||
Memory exhausted in AllocSetAlloc()"</I>?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>You probably have run out of virtual memory on your system,
|
||||
@ -927,12 +986,12 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
backend is returning too much data, try it before starting the
|
||||
client.
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.14">4.14</A>) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.14">4.14) How do I tell what PostgreSQL version
|
||||
I am running?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>From <I>psql</I>, type <CODE>SELECT version();</CODE></P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.15">4.15</A>) How do I create a column that will
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.15">4.15) How do I create a column that will
|
||||
default to the current time?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Use <I>CURRENT_TIMESTAMP</I>:</P>
|
||||
@ -940,7 +999,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
CREATE TABLE test (x int, modtime TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP );
|
||||
</PRE>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.16">4.16</A>) How do I perform an outer join?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.16">4.16) How do I perform an outer join?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL supports outer joins using the SQL standard syntax.
|
||||
Here are two examples:</P>
|
||||
@ -963,7 +1022,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
<SMALL>RIGHT</SMALL>, and <SMALL>FULL</SMALL> joins. Ordinary joins
|
||||
are called <SMALL>INNER</SMALL> joins.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.17">4.17</A>) How do I perform queries using
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.17">4.17) How do I perform queries using
|
||||
multiple databases?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There is no way to query a database other than the current one.
|
||||
@ -975,14 +1034,14 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
connections to different databases and merge the results on the
|
||||
client side.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.18">4.18</A>) How do I return multiple rows or
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.18">4.18) How do I return multiple rows or
|
||||
columns from a function?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>It is easy using set-returning functions,
|
||||
<a href="http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/SetReturningFunctions">
|
||||
http://techdocs.postgresql.org/guides/SetReturningFunctions</a></P>.
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.19">4.19</A>) Why do I get "relation with OID #####
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.19">4.19) Why do I get "relation with OID #####
|
||||
does not exist" errors when accessing temporary tables in PL/PgSQL
|
||||
functions?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -994,7 +1053,7 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
<SMALL>EXECUTE</SMALL> for temporary table access in PL/PgSQL. This
|
||||
will cause the query to be reparsed every time.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.20">4.20</A>) What replication solutions are available?
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.20">4.20) What replication solutions are available?
|
||||
</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Though "replication" is a single term, there are several technologies
|
||||
@ -1016,17 +1075,17 @@ length</TD></TR>
|
||||
<P>There are also commercial and hardware-based replication solutions
|
||||
available supporting a variety of replication models.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="4.21">4.21</A>) Why are my table and column names not
|
||||
<H3 id="item4.21">4.21) Why are my table and column names not
|
||||
recognized in my query?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The most common cause is the use of double-quotes around table or
|
||||
column names during table creation. When double-quotes are used,
|
||||
table and column names (called identifiers) are stored <a
|
||||
href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/static/sql-syntax.html#SQL-
|
||||
SYNTAX-IDENTIFIERS">case-sensitive</a>, meaning you must use
|
||||
double-quotes when referencing the names in a query. Some interfaces,
|
||||
like pgAdmin, automatically double-quote identifiers during table
|
||||
creation. So, for identifiers to be recognized, you must either:
|
||||
href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.0/static/sql-syntax.html#SQL-SYNTAX-IDENTIFIERS">
|
||||
case-sensitive</a>, meaning you must use double-quotes when
|
||||
referencing the names in a query. Some interfaces, like pgAdmin,
|
||||
automatically double-quote identifiers during table creation. So,
|
||||
for identifiers to be recognized, you must either:
|
||||
<UL>
|
||||
<LI>Avoid double-quoting identifiers when creating tables</LI>
|
||||
<LI>Use only lowercase characters in identifiers</LI>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
|
||||
<H1>Developer's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for
|
||||
PostgreSQL</H1>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Last updated: Thu Oct 27 09:48:14 EDT 2005</P>
|
||||
<P>Last updated: Tue Nov 22 10:17:51 EST 2005</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Current maintainer: Bruce Momjian (<A href=
|
||||
"mailto:pgman@candle.pha.pa.us">pgman@candle.pha.pa.us</A>)<BR>
|
||||
@ -27,51 +27,51 @@
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
<H2>General Questions</H2>
|
||||
<A href="#1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
<A href="#item1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
development?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required
|
||||
<A href="#item1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required
|
||||
to develop code?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to
|
||||
<A href="#item1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to
|
||||
work on?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the code?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current
|
||||
<A href="#item1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the code?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current
|
||||
source tree?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for
|
||||
<A href="#item1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for
|
||||
developers?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for developers?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw
|
||||
<A href="#item1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for developers?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw
|
||||
devices, async-I/O, <insert your favorite wizz-bang feature
|
||||
here>?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPM's packaged?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches handled?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL
|
||||
<A href="#item1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPM's packaged?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches handled?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL
|
||||
standards?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical
|
||||
<A href="#item1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical
|
||||
assistance?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL web
|
||||
<A href="#item1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL web
|
||||
site development?<BR>
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
<H2>Technical Questions</H2>
|
||||
<A href="#2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information in
|
||||
<A href="#item2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information in
|
||||
tables from the backend code?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function,
|
||||
<A href="#item2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function,
|
||||
view names sometimes referenced as <I>Name</I> or <I>NameData,</I>
|
||||
and sometimes as <I>char *?</I><BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and <I>List</I>
|
||||
<A href="#item2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and <I>List</I>
|
||||
to make data structures?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure. What
|
||||
<A href="#item2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure. What
|
||||
else should I do?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and
|
||||
<A href="#item2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and
|
||||
<I>pfree</I>() to allocate memory?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?<BR>
|
||||
<A href="#item2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are available?<BR>
|
||||
|
||||
<BR>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<H2>General Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.1">1.1</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.1">1.1) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
development?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Download the code and have a look around. See <A href=
|
||||
@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
|
||||
contributors and core members of the project discuss
|
||||
development.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.2">1.2</A>) What development environment is required
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.2">1.2) What development environment is required
|
||||
to develop code?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL is developed mostly in the C programming language. It
|
||||
@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
|
||||
when you make a modification to a C header file, all files depend
|
||||
upon that file are also rebuilt.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.3">1.3</A>) What areas need work?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.3">1.3) What areas need work?</H3>
|
||||
Outstanding features are detailed in the TODO list. This is located
|
||||
in <I>doc/TODO</I> in the source distribution or at <A href=
|
||||
"http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs.TODO.html">
|
||||
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
||||
archives, the SQL standards and the recommend texts (see <A href=
|
||||
"#1.10">1.10</A>).</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.4">1.4</A>) What do I do after choosing an item to
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.4">1.4) What do I do after choosing an item to
|
||||
work on?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Send an email to pgsql-hackers with a proposal for what you want
|
||||
@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
|
||||
<a href="http://momjian.postgresql.org/cgi-bin/pgpatches_hold">
|
||||
http://momjian.postgresql.org/cgi-bin/pgpatches2</a>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.5">1.5</A>) I've developed a patch, what next?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.5">1.5) I've developed a patch, what next?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Generate the patch in contextual diff format. If you are
|
||||
unfamiliar with this, you might find the script
|
||||
@ -174,7 +174,7 @@
|
||||
that, let us know and we will manually update the documentation when
|
||||
the patch is applied.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.6">1.6</A>) Where can I learn more about the
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.6">1.6) Where can I learn more about the
|
||||
code?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Other than documentation in the source tree itself, you can find
|
||||
@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
|
||||
"http://www.postgresql.org/developer">
|
||||
http://www.postgresql.org/developer</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.7">1.7</A>) How do I download/update the current
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.7">1.7) How do I download/update the current
|
||||
source tree?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are several ways to obtain the source tree. Occasional
|
||||
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
|
||||
"http://developer.postgresql.org/docs/postgres/cvs.html">
|
||||
http://developer.postgresql.org/docs/postgres/cvs.html</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.8">1.8</A>) How do I test my changes?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.8">1.8) How do I test my changes?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P><B>Basic system testing</B></P>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -245,7 +245,7 @@
|
||||
you can use the <I>--enable-depend</I> option of <I>configure</I>
|
||||
to have the compiler compute the dependencies automatically.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.9">1.9</A>) What tools are available for
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.9">1.9) What tools are available for
|
||||
developers?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>First, all the files in the <I>src/tools</I> directory are
|
||||
@ -380,7 +380,7 @@
|
||||
There is also a script called <I>unused_oids</I> in
|
||||
<I>pgsql/src/include/catalog</I> that shows the unused oids.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.10">1.10</A>) What books are good for
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.10">1.10) What books are good for
|
||||
developers?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>I have four good books, <I>An Introduction to Database
|
||||
@ -394,7 +394,7 @@
|
||||
on-line written by Jim Gray at <A href=
|
||||
"http://www.benchmarkresources.com">http://www.benchmarkresources.com.</A>.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.11">1.11</A>) What is configure all about?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.11">1.11) What is configure all about?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The files <I>configure</I> and <I>configure.in</I> are part of
|
||||
the GNU <I>autoconf</I> package. Configure allows us to test for
|
||||
@ -418,7 +418,7 @@
|
||||
all files derived by configure are removed, so you see only the
|
||||
file contained in the source distribution.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.12">1.12</A>) How do I add a new port?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.12">1.12) How do I add a new port?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are a variety of places that need to be modified to add a
|
||||
new port. First, start in the <I>src/template</I> directory. Add an
|
||||
@ -437,7 +437,7 @@
|
||||
handling. There is a <I>backend/port</I> directory if you need
|
||||
special files for your OS.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.13">1.13</A>) Why don't you use threads, raw
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.13">1.13) Why don't you use threads, raw
|
||||
devices, async-I/O, <insert your favorite wizz-bang feature
|
||||
here>?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -471,7 +471,7 @@
|
||||
cautious about their adoption. The TODO list often contains links
|
||||
to discussions showing our reasoning in these areas.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.14">1.14</A>) How are RPMs packaged?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.14">1.14) How are RPMs packaged?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>This was written by Lamar Owen:</P>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -576,7 +576,7 @@
|
||||
<P>Of course, there are many projects that DO include all the files
|
||||
necessary to build RPMs from their Official Tarball (TM).</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.15">1.15</A>) How are CVS branches managed?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.15">1.15) How are CVS branches managed?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>This was written by Tom Lane:</P>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -646,7 +646,7 @@
|
||||
dot-release or two, so that we won't have to double-patch the first
|
||||
wave of fixes.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.16">1.16</A>) Where can I get a copy of the SQL
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.16">1.16) Where can I get a copy of the SQL
|
||||
standards?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>There are three versions of the SQL standard: SQL-92, SQL:1999,
|
||||
@ -683,7 +683,7 @@
|
||||
(paper)</LI>
|
||||
</UL>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.17">1.17</A>) Where can I get technical
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.17">1.17) Where can I get technical
|
||||
assistance?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Many technical questions held by those new to the code have been
|
||||
@ -698,7 +698,7 @@
|
||||
questions about development of new features, on IRC at
|
||||
irc.freenode.net in the #postgresql channel.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="1.18">1.18</A>) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
<H3 id="item1.18">1.18) How do I get involved in PostgreSQL
|
||||
web site development?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>PostgreSQL website development is discussed on the
|
||||
@ -714,7 +714,7 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<H2>Technical Questions</H2>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.1">2.1</A>) How do I efficiently access information
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.1">2.1) How do I efficiently access information
|
||||
in tables from the backend code?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>You first need to find the tuples(rows) you are interested in.
|
||||
@ -782,7 +782,7 @@
|
||||
<I>ReleaseBuffer()</I>, in the <I>heap_fetch()</I> case. Or it may
|
||||
be a palloc'ed tuple, that you must <I>pfree()</I> when finished.
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.2">2.2</A>) Why are table, column, type, function,
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.2">2.2) Why are table, column, type, function,
|
||||
view names sometimes referenced as <I>Name</I> or <I>NameData,</I>
|
||||
and sometimes as <I>char *?</I></H3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -809,7 +809,7 @@
|
||||
names(char *), there are many cases where Name and char * are used
|
||||
interchangeably.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.3">2.3</A>) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.3">2.3) Why do we use <I>Node</I> and
|
||||
<I>List</I> to make data structures?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>We do this because this allows a consistent way to pass data
|
||||
@ -902,7 +902,7 @@
|
||||
The output appears in the postmaster log file, or on your screen if
|
||||
you are running a backend directly without a postmaster.
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.4">2.4</A>) I just added a field to a structure.
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.4">2.4) I just added a field to a structure.
|
||||
What else should I do?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>The structures passing around from the parser, rewrite,
|
||||
@ -912,9 +912,9 @@
|
||||
the files <I>copyfuncs.c</I> and <I>equalfuncs.c</I>. Make sure you
|
||||
add support for your new field to these files. Find any other
|
||||
places the structure might need code for your new field. <I>mkid</I>
|
||||
is helpful with this (see <A href="#1.9">1.9</A>).</P>
|
||||
is helpful with this (see <A href="#item1.9">1.9</A>).</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.5">2.5</A>) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.5">2.5) Why do we use <I>palloc</I>() and
|
||||
<I>pfree</I>() to allocate memory?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P><I>palloc()</I> and <I>pfree()</I> are used in place of malloc()
|
||||
@ -925,7 +925,7 @@
|
||||
memory can be allocated in. These affect when the allocated memory
|
||||
is freed by the backend.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.6">2.6</A>) What is ereport()?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.6">2.6) What is ereport()?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P><I>ereport()</I> is used to send messages to the front-end, and
|
||||
optionally terminate the current query being processed. The first
|
||||
@ -944,7 +944,7 @@
|
||||
descriptors so you don't need to clean these up before the
|
||||
call.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.7">2.7</A>) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?</H3>
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.7">2.7) What is CommandCounterIncrement()?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>Normally, transactions can not see the rows they modify. This
|
||||
allows <CODE>UPDATE foo SET x = x + 1</CODE> to work correctly.</P>
|
||||
@ -957,7 +957,7 @@
|
||||
increments the Command Counter, creating a new part of the
|
||||
transaction.</P>
|
||||
|
||||
<H3><A name="2.8">2.8</A>) What debugging features are
|
||||
<H3 id="item2.8">2.8) What debugging features are
|
||||
available?</H3>
|
||||
|
||||
<P>First, try running <I>configure</I> with the --enable-cassert
|
||||
@ -984,7 +984,7 @@
|
||||
Use a debugger to attach to the <I>postgres</I> <SMALL>PID</SMALL>.
|
||||
You can set breakpoints in the debugger and issue queries from the
|
||||
other. If you are looking to find the location that is generating
|
||||
an error or log message, set a breakpoint at <I>errfinish</>.
|
||||
an error or log message, set a breakpoint at <I>errfinish</I>.
|
||||
|
||||
<I>psql</I>. If you are debugging <I>postgres</I> startup, you can
|
||||
set PGOPTIONS="-W n", then start <I>psql</I>. This will cause startup
|
||||
|
||||
Loading…
x
Reference in New Issue
Block a user