PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL describes itself as the "world's most advanced open-source database". It provides a comparatively standard and feature-rich SQL implementation based on a very stable backend server. Its open architecture enables the addition of third-party modules and a wide range of procedural languages besides PostgreSQL's native PL/PgSQL.

PostgreSQL is an open-source project and is not backed by any one particular company, although developer funding is provided from a number of firms, including Red Hat. Much code is also contributed by individuals and companies who improve PostgreSQL for their own use.

For a long time PostgreSQL was the "dark horse" of the RDBMS world and although powerful was not necessarily fast nor easy to administer. Recent releases have brought PostgreSQL up to speed and have also streamlined many operations, making life much easier for DBAs. With version 8.0's Windows release PostgreSQL has become available to an even wider user base.

Arcticles and other useful content pages

Planet PostgreSQL

The latest posts on Planet PostgreSQL, captured by the twitter_fdw foreign data wrapper (see here for implementation details).