Extending PostgreSQL | Part II: Programming with PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is an extensible database. You can add new functions, new operators, and custom data types to the PostgreSQL server.

In this chapter, I'll show you how to add two simple functions, a new data type, and a set of operators that work with the new type. The examples build on each other, so it would be a good idea to read this chapter in sequence rather than skipping around too much. The sample code used in this chapter was developed using PostgreSQL release 8.0.

We'll start by adding a new function to the PostgreSQL server. The details are important, but the process is not difficult. After you know how to add one function to the server, it's easy to add others.

Part I: General PostgreSQL Use

Introduction to PostgreSQL and SQL

Working with Data in PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL SQL Syntax and Use

Performance

Part II: Programming with PostgreSQL

Introduction to PostgreSQL Programming

Extending PostgreSQL

PL/pgSQL

The PostgreSQL C APIlibpq

A Simpler C APIlibpgeasy

The New PostgreSQL C++ APIlibpqxx

Embedding SQL Commands in C Programsecpg

Using PostgreSQL from an ODBC Client Application

Using PostgreSQL from a Java Client Application

Using PostgreSQL with Perl

Using PostgreSQL with PHP

Using PostgreSQL with Tcl and Tcl/Tk

Using PostgreSQL with Python

Npgsql: The .NET Data Provider

Other Useful Programming Tools

Part III: PostgreSQL Administration

Introduction to PostgreSQL Administration

PostgreSQL Administration

Internationalization and Localization

Security

Replicating PostgreSQL Data with Slony

Contributed Modules

Index