PostgreSQL comes with many features aimed to help developers build applications, administrators to protect data integrity and build fault-tolerant environments, and help you manage your data no matter how big or small the dataset. In addition to being free and open source, PostgreSQL is highly extensible. For example, you can define your own data types, build out custom functions, even write code from different programming languages without recompiling your database!
-PostgreSQL tries to conform with the SQL standard where such conformance does not contradict traditional features or could lead to poor architectural decisions. Many of the features required by the SQL standard are supported, though sometimes with slightly differing syntax or function. Further moves towards conformance can be expected over time. As of the version 11 release in October 2018, PostgreSQL conforms to at least 160 of the 179 mandatory features for SQL:2011 Core conformance. As of this writing, no relational database meets full conformance with this standard. +
PostgreSQL tries to conform with the SQL standard where such conformance does not contradict traditional features or could lead to poor architectural decisions. Many of the features required by the SQL standard are supported, though sometimes with slightly differing syntax or function. Further moves towards conformance can be expected over time. As of the version 12 release in October 2019, PostgreSQL conforms to at least 160 of the 179 mandatory features for SQL:2016 Core conformance. As of this writing, no relational database meets full conformance with this standard.
Below is an inexhaustive list of various features found in PostgreSQL, with more being added in every major release:
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@Q: What is the current version of PostgreSQL?
-A: 11, which was released October 18, 2018. This is our 29th major release in 30 years of development. We release a new version of PostgreSQL every year, which is unique among SQL databases.
Q: Does the PostgreSQL Project have a Code of Conduct?
A: The PostgreSQL Project prides itself on the quality of our code and our work, and the technical and professional accomplishments of our community. We expect everyone who participates to conduct themselves in a professional manner, acting with common courtesy and in the common interest, with respect for all users and developers. To that end, we established a Code of Conduct for community interaction and participation in the project’s work and the community at large.
Q: What will the version number of the next major release be? What will the version number of the next patch release be?
-A: The next major release of PostgreSQL will be version 12, and follows a two-part version numbering scheme. So the first patch release for 11 will be 11.1. The version of PostgreSQL released in 2019 will be version 12.
Q: Why are older versions that are labeled 9.6.6 or 9.5.9?
A: Because of the long history of our project the first two decimals are major releases. Thus 9.6, 9.5 etc. were all major releases. Minor releases have numbers like 9.6.6. Since version 10, the project has adopted a two-part version numbering scheme.
Q: How many developers work on PostgreSQL?
-A: Over 400. As with other open source projects, of course, we depend on hundreds of community members for documentation, translations, advocacy, conferences, website development, infrastructure, and peer-to-peer support.
Q: How many PostgreSQL users are there, worldwide?
-A: Our wide distribution through the open source world and liberal licensing make that a difficult question to answer with any accuracy. 451Research estimates that around 30% of tech companies use PostgreSQL for core applications as of 2012, and around 11% of Debian users worldwide install PostgreSQL. Most users get PostgreSQL with a Linux distribution, or with some of the many other products, OSS software, and hardware devices that include PostgreSQL. Many indexes, such as the DB-Engines Ranking, demonstrate that PostgreSQL adoption continues to grow at a rapid pace, including DB-Engines recognition of PostgreSQL as the DBMS of the Year in 2017.
Q: Can we talk to some of your users?
A: Please contact press@postgresql.org and our press volunteers will try to arrange a contact.