Introduction

PostgreSQL, often simply "Postgres", is an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS) with an emphasis on extensibility and standards-compliance. As a database server, its primary function is to store data, securely and supporting best practices, and retrieve it later, as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network (including the Internet). It can handle workloads ranging from small single-machine applications to large Internet-facing applications with many concurrent users. Recent versions also provide replication of the database itself for security and scalability.

Usage

Notes

1. CSE does not issue PostGreSQL accounts by default to all CSE students. If you need a PostGreSQL account, email cse-consult@buffalo.edu.
2. The psql binary's --help parameter shows you the options that the psql binary accepts.

   
   % /util/bin/psql --help
   
   

3. The psql binary's -h parameter specifies the [h]ostname of the remote database server to which you are connecting.

   
   % /util/bin/psql -h tethys
   
   

4. You may also specify the remote database hostname with the PGHOST environment variable:

   
   % setenv PGHOST tethys
   % /util/bin/psql
   
   

5. When you get your new account, change your default password to a password only you know:

   
   cwmiller=> alter user cwmiller with password 'MyNewPassword123';
   ALTER ROLE
   
   

6. Exit with \q (backslash q) or Ctrl-d (control d).
7. CSE uses PostGreSQL as the online GradVote system's data storage.

People

1. Jan Chomicki, instructor.
2. Demian Lessa, developer.

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postgresql
2. http://www.postgresql.org
3. http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/interactive/index.html
4. http://wiki.postgresql.org/
5. http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Frequently_Asked_Questions
6. http://gradvote.cse.buffalo.edu