I’ve been almost exclusively a Postgres DBA for a seemingly interminable length of time. While this is good for specializing, nobody wants to be a One-Trick Pony. And aside from the occasional bit of Python to write more advanced tools when Bash isn’t up to the job, it’s All Postgres All The Time. While few things would make me happier, it pays to branch out occasionally.
When NoSQL databases hit the scene a few years ago, I pretty much ignored them wholesale.
Naming objects in a database can sometimes be an exercise in frustration. What kind of guidelines should we follow for schemas and tables? What about columns or variables? Should the same rules apply to indexes, constraints, and sequences? Functions and triggers are much different than all of those elements, yet still exist within the same namespace. Then we have to contend with Postgres reserved words, many of which are probably only obvious to someone well versed in database lingo.
Like any programming language, the PL/pgSQL Postgres procedural language has plenty of handy control structures. Among those thankfully modern accoutrements is the humble EXCEPTION block. While not the more prevalent try/catch methodology, we can use BEGIN anywhere to start an embedded section for the same effect.
Knowing this is the case, what are the costs of actually using them? Postgres is fairly streamlined, and as such, can take several shortcuts when there are no exception blocks within a chunk of PL/pgSQL.
On a higher level, Postgres has a bevy of libraries, interfaces, and clients for accessing a database instance. From language APIs to GUIs like pgAdmin, or SaaS entries like JackDB, every flavor of interaction is covered. And yet, that’s only a small part of the story. For those who dare to tread into the watery depths, there’s also the world of dark incantations that is the command-line.
While most are aware of psql, the Postgres command-line client for accessing databases, there are far more creatures lurking in the black oblivion which deserve more visibility.
There comes a day in every young database’s life that it’s time to move on. I’m sorry 9.4, but the day has come that we must say goodbye. It’s not like we haven’t had our good times. While I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me, we must part ways. I’m far too needy, and I can’t demand so much of you in good conscience. May your future patches make you and your other suitors happy!
