Free course

PostgreSQL Course

Learn PostgreSQL from installation to production basics: psql, roles, databases, schemas, types, indexes, application pools, migrations, backups, and debugging.

5 modules · 37 lessons · No signup

Prerequisites: SQL and Shell Commands

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What you'll learn

Build and operate a small PostgreSQL-backed application with clear roles, reliable migrations, bounded connections, useful indexes, and a restorable backup.

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Course contents

  1. Start using PostgreSQL

    Install PostgreSQL, connect with psql, and navigate a server confidently.

    1. ✓ What PostgreSQL is
    2. ✓ Install PostgreSQL 18 on macOS
    3. ✓ Connect with psql
    4. ✓ Navigate psql
    5. ✓ List PostgreSQL databases
    6. ✓ Switch PostgreSQL databases
    7. ✓ Check your understanding: PostgreSQL basics

  2. Roles, databases, and schemas

    Understand PostgreSQL organization and grant deliberate access.

    1. ✓ Clusters, databases, and schemas
    2. ✓ Separate owner and runtime roles
    3. ✓ Create a PostgreSQL database
    4. ✓ Grant PostgreSQL permissions
    5. ✓ Schemas and search_path
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: roles, databases, and schemas

  3. Tables and data

    Use PostgreSQL types, identity columns, constraints, and transactions.

    1. ✓ Choose PostgreSQL data types
    2. ✓ Use identity primary keys
    3. ✓ Use constraints and foreign keys
    4. ✓ Understand sequences
    5. ✓ Use PostgreSQL transactions
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: tables and data

  4. Queries and performance

    Use PostgreSQL query features and inspect plans before adding indexes.

    1. ✓ Return changed rows
    2. ✓ Upsert with ON CONFLICT
    3. ✓ Use JSONB deliberately
    4. ✓ Read EXPLAIN ANALYZE
    5. ✓ Add the index the query needs
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: queries and performance

  5. Applications and operations

    Connect applications, control pools, migrate safely, restore backups, and debug failures.

    1. ✓ Connect to PostgreSQL from Node.js
    2. ✓ Budget connection pools
    3. ✓ Parameterize PostgreSQL queries
    4. ✓ Run an application transaction
    5. ✓ Migrate PostgreSQL safely
    6. ✓ Back up and restore PostgreSQL
    7. ✓ Fix a PostgreSQL connection failure
    8. ✓ Fix “relation does not exist”
    9. ✓ Choose where PostgreSQL runs
    10. ✓ Understand MVCC and routine maintenance
    11. ✓ Build a PostgreSQL notes application
    12. ✓ Check your understanding: applications and operations