Introduction
Greetings fellow tech enthusiasts! Today, we are going to dive into the world of Ubuntu server installation of PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL is an open-source relational database management system that is widely used for web applications. This robust database has become increasingly popular among developers due to its scalability, reliability and stability. In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to install PostgreSQL on your Ubuntu server.
Before we proceed, it is important to note that we assume a basic understanding of the Ubuntu server environment. This guide will also cover the installation process for PostgreSQL version 13 and Ubuntu 20.04.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Section |
Topic |
1 |
Introduction |
2 |
What is PostgreSQL? |
3 |
Advantages of using PostgreSQL |
4 |
Disadvantages of using PostgreSQL |
5 |
Pre-installation steps |
6 |
Installation of PostgreSQL |
7 |
Post-installation steps |
8 |
Configuration of PostgreSQL |
9 |
Common issues faced during installation |
10 |
FAQs |
11 |
Conclusion |
12 |
Closing/Disclaimer |
What is PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database management system that is widely used for web applications. It is known for its advanced features, reliability and stability. PostgreSQL is fully ACID-compliant and supports several programming languages, including SQL, Python, Java and Ruby.
Advantages of using PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL has several advantages over other databases:
👉 It is highly reliable and durable, ensuring data integrity even in the event of hardware failures.
👉 It is highly scalable, making it ideal for increasing workloads.
👉 It is highly extensible, allowing for custom functions for specific use cases.
👉 It has excellent support for spatial data and geographic information systems (GIS).
👉 It is open-source software, which means it is free to use.
Disadvantages of using PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL also has a few disadvantages that are worth noting:
👉 It has a steep learning curve for beginners.
👉 It requires more resources than other databases, making it less suitable for small-scale projects.
👉 It has less support for NoSQL.
Pre-installation steps
Before we begin the installation process, there are a few prerequisites that you will need:
👉 An Ubuntu 20.04 server with root privileges.
👉 A user with sudo privileges.
👉 An active internet connection.
Once you have these prerequisites, you are ready to install PostgreSQL.
Installation of PostgreSQL
Follow these steps to install PostgreSQL:
Step 1: Update the system
Before we proceed with the installation, we need to update the Ubuntu server:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Install PostgreSQL
Now that we have updated the system, we can proceed with the installation of PostgreSQL:
sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib
This will install PostgreSQL along with its supporting packages.
Step 3: Verify the installation
After the installation is complete, we can verify it by checking the version of PostgreSQL:
sudo -u postgres psql -c "SELECT version();"
This will display the current version that is installed on your system.
Post-installation steps
Now that the installation is complete, we need to perform some post-installation steps:
Step 1: Setting the password for the PostgreSQL user
By default, PostgreSQL creates a user called postgres, which is used as a superuser. You need to set a password for this user:
sudo -u postgres psql
Enter the following command:
\password postgres
You will be prompted to enter a new password. Please make sure to use a strong password.
Step 2: Creating a new user
You should also create a new user with limited privileges for your application:
sudo -u postgres createuser --interactive
This command will prompt you to create a new user with specific privileges.
Configuration of PostgreSQL
Next, let’s configure PostgreSQL:
Step 1: Edit the configuration file
To edit the configuration file, open the file postgresql.conf with your preferred text editor:
sudo nano /etc/postgresql/13/main/postgresql.conf
Here, you can change various settings, including the listening port and the maximum number of connections allowed.
Step 2: Edit the pg_hba.conf file
The pg_hba.conf file is used to configure the host-based authentication. You can edit this file using the following command:
sudo nano /etc/postgresql/13/main/pg_hba.conf
Here, you can set the authentication method for the user and limit access to specific IP addresses.
Common issues faced during installation
There are a few common issues that you may face during the installation of PostgreSQL:
👉 Installation error: If you encounter an error during installation, check your internet connection and try again. If the issue persists, make sure your system meets the prerequisites.
👉 User permission errors: If you encounter user permission errors, make sure you have root privileges or sudo privileges. Try using the sudo command before running the command again.
👉 Configuration errors: If you face any configuration errors, double-check the configuration files and make sure they are properly configured.
FAQs
1. What is the default user in PostgreSQL?
The default user in PostgreSQL is postgres.
2. What is the maximum number of connections allowed in PostgreSQL?
The maximum number of connections allowed in PostgreSQL is determined by the max_connections parameter in the postgresql.conf file.
3. How do I uninstall PostgreSQL?
To uninstall PostgreSQL, use the following command:
sudo apt-get --purge remove postgresql\*
4. Can I install multiple versions of PostgreSQL?
Yes, you can install multiple versions of PostgreSQL on the same server. However, you must ensure that they are installed in separate directories and use different ports.
5. How do I create a new database in PostgreSQL?
You can create a new database using the following command:
createdb <database_name>
6. How do I drop a database in PostgreSQL?
You can drop a database using the following command:
dropdb <database_name>
7. What is the difference between PostgreSQL and MySQL?
PostgreSQL is an object-relational database management system, while MySQL is a relational database management system. PostgreSQL supports several programming languages, including SQL, Python, Java and Ruby, while MySQL has limited support.
8. What are the best practices for securing PostgreSQL?
The best practices for securing PostgreSQL include:
👉 Using strong passwords for the PostgreSQL user and other database users
👉 Limiting access to specific IP addresses
👉 Disabling remote connections
👉 Regularly updating PostgreSQL to ensure it is secure
9. What is pgAdmin?
pgAdmin is a popular open-source administration and management tool for PostgreSQL. It provides a graphical user interface for managing databases, users, tables and more.
10. Can I install PostgreSQL on Windows?
Yes, you can install PostgreSQL on Windows. The installation process is similar to the Ubuntu installation process.
11. What is the difference between PostgreSQL and Oracle?
PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database management system, while Oracle is a commercial relational database management system. PostgreSQL has a lower cost of ownership and is more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, while Oracle is more suitable for large enterprises with high-end requirements.
12. What is the default port for PostgreSQL?
The default port for PostgreSQL is 5432.
13. How do I connect to PostgreSQL from a remote server?
You can connect to PostgreSQL from a remote server by configuring the pg_hba.conf file to allow remote connections and by configuring the firewall to allow incoming connections on the PostgreSQL port.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully installed PostgreSQL on your Ubuntu server. We hope this guide has been helpful in assisting you in the installation process.
PostgreSQL is a powerful database management system that offers advanced features and functionality. Its robustness and reliability make it popular among developers for web applications.
Remember to keep your PostgreSQL installation secure by following best practices and regularly updating it.
Closing/Disclaimer
We hope you found this guide helpful. Please note that this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. We are not liable for any damages or losses caused by the use of this guide.
Please make sure to double-check all commands and follow best practices when working with PostgreSQL.