Database Reference
In-Depth Information
The best way to start is by asking some simple questions to orientate yourself, and begin the
process of understanding. Incidentally, these are also questions you'll need to answer if you
ask someone else for help.
What version is the server?
If you experience problems, then you'll need to double-check which version of the server you
have. This will help you report a fault or to consult the correct version of the manual.
How to do it...
Connect to the database, and then issue the following:
postgres # SELECT version();
You'll get a response with something like the following:
PostgreSQL 9.0 on x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu,
compiled by GCC gcc (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5ubuntu4) 4.3.3, 64-bit
That's probably too much information all at once!
How it works...
PostgreSQL server version's format is Major.Minor.Maintenance
In some other software products, the Major release number is all you need to know, but with
PostgreSQL the feature set and compatibility relates to the Major.Minor release level. What
that means is that 8.4 contains more additional features and compatibility changes than 8.3.
There is also a separate version of the manual, so if something doesn't work exactly the way
you think it should, you must consult the
correct
version of the manual.
Maintenance software releases are identified by the full three-part numbering scheme.
8.4.0 was the initial release of 8.4, and 8.4.1 is a later maintenance release.
The release support policy for PostgreSQL is available at the following URL:
http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/PostgreSQL_Release_Support_Policy
This explains that each release will be supported for a period of 5 years.
All releases up to and including 8.1 will be de-supported as of November 2010. So by the
time you're reading this only PostgreSQL 8.2 or higher will be supported. Those early versions
are still robust, though many performance and enterprise features will be missing from those
releases. Later de-support dates are as follows:
