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PostgreSQL Basics

This repository contains an overview of basic PostgreSQL commands, installation steps, and common SQL queries. PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system with a strong reputation for reliability and performance.

Table of Contents

  1. Download and Install PostgreSQL
  2. Add PostgreSQL to PATH
  3. Create Shortcuts for pgAdmin and psql Shell
  4. Basic PostgreSQL Commands
  5. User and Role Management
  6. Database Management
  7. Data Types
  8. Table Management
  9. Data Manipulation
  10. Query Clauses
  11. Indexes and Constraints
  12. Transactions
  13. Backup and Restore
  14. Advanced Queries

Download and Install PostgreSQL

  1. Visit the official PostgreSQL Downloads page.
  2. Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Follow the installation steps provided by the PostgreSQL installer.

Add PostgreSQL to PATH (for Windows)

  1. After installation, locate the PostgreSQL installation directory (usually in C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\version\bin).
  2. Add this path to the system's environment variables:
    • Open "System Properties" (Right-click This PC → Properties → Advanced system settings).
    • Under "System Properties" → Advanced → Click Environment Variables.
    • In the "System Variables" section, find Path and click Edit.
    • Add the PostgreSQL bin folder to the path, and click OK.

Create Shortcuts for pgAdmin and psql Shell

  • For pgAdmin (GUI):

    1. Locate pgAdmin 4 in your installed programs or the PostgreSQL folder.
    2. Right-click on the program → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

  • For psql Shell (CLI):

    1. Find the SQL Shell (psql) in the PostgreSQL directory or Start menu.
    2. Right-click on it → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

Basic PostgreSQL Commands

  • Connect to a Database:

    psql -U username -d dbname

    Once connected, type help for help:

    You are using psql, the command-line interface to PostgreSQL.
Type:  \copyright for distribution terms
       \h for help with SQL commands
       \? for help with psql commands
       \g or terminate with semicolon to execute query
       \q to quit

  • Get help for psql commands before connecting:

    psql --help

    This displays a list of available options and their descriptions, such as:

    • -U username to specify the user.
    • -d dbname to connect to a specific database.
    • -h host to connect to a specific host.
    • -p port to specify the port number.

User and Role Management

  • Create User: 
    CREATE USER username WITH PASSWORD 'password';
  • Grant Superuser Privileges: 
    ALTER USER username WITH SUPERUSER;
  • Grant User Privileges: 
    GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE dbname TO username;
  • List Users: 
    \du
\du+ -- for more details
  • Delete User: 
    DROP USER username;

Database Management

  • Create Database: 
    CREATE DATABASE dbname;
  • Switch to Another Database: 
    \c dbname
  • List Databases: 
    \l
  • Delete Database: 
    DROP DATABASE dbname;
  • Execute SQL Script from a File: 
    \i /path/to/file.sql

Data Types

Data Type Description
INTEGER Stores whole numbers
SERIAL Auto-incrementing integer
BIGINT Stores large whole numbers
NUMERIC(p, s) Stores exact numbers with precision and scale
REAL Stores floating-point numbers
DOUBLE PRECISION Stores double precision floating-point numbers
VARCHAR(n) Stores variable-length text, up to n characters
TEXT Stores variable-length text (unlimited)
BOOLEAN Stores TRUE or FALSE
DATE Stores a date (year, month, day)
TIMESTAMP Stores both date and time
UUID Stores universally unique identifiers

Table Management

  • Create a Table with PRIMARY KEY and NOT NULL: 
    CREATE TABLE tablename (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    column1 VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
    column2 INTEGER NOT NULL,
    column3 DATE
);
  • View Table Schema: 
    \d tablename

Data Manipulation

  • Insert Data: 
    INSERT INTO tablename (column1, column2) VALUES (value1, value2);
  • Update Data: 
    UPDATE tablename SET column1 = value1 WHERE condition;
  • Delete Data: 
    DELETE FROM tablename WHERE condition;
  • Select Data: 
    SELECT column1, column2 FROM tablename WHERE condition;
  • Using AND, OR conditions in WHERE: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename WHERE condition1 AND (condition2 OR condition3);

Query Clauses

  • LIMIT Clause: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename LIMIT 10;
  • OFFSET Clause: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename LIMIT 10 OFFSET 5;
  • FETCH Clause: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename OFFSET 5 FETCH NEXT 10 ROWS ONLY;
  • IN Clause: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename WHERE column IN ('value1', 'value2', 'value3');
  • DISTINCT Clause: 
    SELECT DISTINCT column FROM tablename;
  • ORDER BY Clause: 
    SELECT * FROM tablename ORDER BY column ASC; -- Order results in ascending order (default)
SELECT * FROM tablename ORDER BY column DESC; -- Order results in descending order:

Indexes and Constraints

  • Create Index:

    CREATE INDEX indexname ON tablename (columnname);

  • Add Foreign Key:

    ALTER TABLE tablename ADD CONSTRAINT fk_name FOREIGN KEY (columnname) REFERENCES other_table (columnname);

Transactions

  • Begin Transaction:

    BEGIN;

  • Commit Transaction:

    COMMIT;

  • Rollback Transaction:

    ROLLBACK;

Backup and Restore

  • Backup a Database: 
    pg_dump dbname > backupfile.sql
  • Backup only the schema (pre-data including indexes, sequences, etc.): 
    pg_dump --schema-only dbname > schema_backup.sql
  • Restore a Database: 
    psql dbname < backupfile.sql

Advanced Queries

  • Join Tables:

    SELECT * FROM table1 INNER JOIN table2 ON table1.column = table2.column;

  • Group By:

    SELECT column, COUNT(*) FROM tablename GROUP BY column;