Notable Features of PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL supports some distinctive features that allow large scale organizations to adopt it for data processing. Some notable features are listed below:
- Programming Language: Extensive support of programming languages that includes Python, Java, C#, Perl, Go.
- Data Types: It has huge support of pre-defined datasets while users can create their own data type as well.
- SQL integration: Several advanced level features are compatible with PostgreSQL: such as, complex subqueries, table partitioning, nested transactions
- Security: For secure processing of data, PostgreSQL uses authentication protocols like Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and provides row/column security as well.
How to install PostgreSQL on Debian 11
To install PostgreSQL on Debian 11; you can follow any of the following two methods:
Method 1: Install PostgreSQL using repository of Debian 11
Method 2: Install PostgreSQL using official PostgreSQL repository
We will explain the installation process using both methods: the first method uses the packages from Debian repository whereas the second method will fetch the repository packages from PostgreSQL official package:
Method 1: How to install PostgreSQL using repository of Debian 11
The installation method will direct you to install PostgreSQL using a simple and time saving process by using Debian packages:
Step 1: Update and Upgrade the packages list
It is recommended to update and upgrade the list of packages by issuing the commands mentioned below:
Step 2: Install PostgreSQL
The required package resides in Debian repository so you can install it by using “apt”: install PostgreSQL by issuing the command mentioned below:
Once PostgreSQL is installed, you can check the status of service by using the command given below:
Moreover, the status of service can be changed by using the following commands:
To stop the running PostgreSQL service:
And to start the stopped service:
Method 2: How to install PostgreSQL using official repository of Debian 11
Follow the simple steps mentioned below to add the official repository of PostgreSQL for Debian 11 and then install it; you can follow the steps mentioned below to do so:
Step 1: Add PostgreSQL repository
It is recommended to add the official repo of PostgreSQL, so that you get the latest version of packages: firstly, you have to add the GPG signing key of PostgreSQL packages to secure the package repository: you can do so by issuing the command mentioned below:
Now, you are ready to add PostgreSQL repository: use the command mentioned below to perform the action:
Step 2: Installation of PostgreSQL
After successful integration of PostgreSQL library you are ready to install it: but before this, it is recommended to update the system’s repository by using the command mentioned below:
Install PostgreSQL with the help of below-mentioned command:
How to create database using PostgreSQL in Debian 11
PostgreSQL can be used as a postgres user only, if you set a password; otherwise you will not be able to log in as a postgres user: Use the following command to set up a password:
To create database in PostgreSQL, you must login to PostgreSQL server and then access its shell; use the following command to log in as a postgres user: it will ask for password; type your password and hit enter:
Now access the shell using postgres user by issuing the following keyword:
Once you have accessed the command shell of Postgres, you can now use SQL queries to perform several database related operations:
For instance, we want to create a database “linuxhint”; for that, we will use the following SQL query to do so:
To access the database log in as postgres user and use the following command to access database “linuxhint”:
Note: You can fall back to the postgres user by using “\q”:
You can now add, delete, select data from the database by accessing the database on terminal. Moreover, to drop a database you have to come out of database by using “\q” and then use the following command:
And if you try to access database “linuxhint”; the shell will display an error that “linuxhint” does not exists:
Conclusion
PostgreSQL is a widely used Relational Database Management System used by several large companies ranging from large to medium size strength. Although it is a relational database it supports JSON for non-relational querying that makes PostgreSQL a favorite choice of organizations. This post provides the installation guide of PostgreSQL for Debian11, two methods are described here. Method 1 enables you to install PostgreSQL from Debian own’s packages repository, on the other hand you can follow Method 2 to get the updated PostgreSQL from its official repository.
