This book is divided into four parts, each focused on a different aspect of a PostgreSQL database system. It also includes small set of technical appendixes.
Part I in PostgreSQL: The definitive guide, is an initiation into the PostgreSQL database. We start by instructing the reader on how to install PostgreSQL. We will cover both source, binary and commercial installation options. We then move into basic configuration including items such as Section 3.2authentication, encryption, user and group management. Finally the section closes out with information on catalog management including backups, and vacuums.
Part II in PostgreSQL: The definitive guide, starts with an introduction to SQL and the relational model. We write about Chapter 5SQL in general and the first three of the normal forms. Database design including Foreign Keys, Constraints, Indexes, Schemas and the core data types are also reviewed. Chapter 6, delves deeper into the use of SQL, covering how to perform essential database functions such as creating and altering tables, inserting rows into tables, copying data, retrieving result sets, and using views. We also review advanced topics such as Locking, Cursors, LargeObjects and Bytea.
Part III in PostgreSQL: The definitive guide, explores topics such as Full Text Indexing, Replication, Point In Time Recovery, User Defined Functions, Section 9.4.2Triggers, Rules, Domain Constraints and lastly the contrib.
Part IV in PostgreSQL: The definitive guide, is a foray into the world of programming for PostgreSQL, covering the procedural languages of PostgreSQL. The languages to be covered are, Chapter 11plPgSQL, plPerlNG, plPHP, plPython, pl/C, and lastly plJava. Each of the chapters in this part of the book will cover installing, and basic usage of each of the languages features. There will also be discussion on when to use each language and when it is a good idea to push functions from a language such as plPHP to pl/C.
Finally, Part 5 contains appendixes for information on converting from MySQL or Oracle as well as information on .Net drivers and C++ libraries.