PostgreSQL – the database most frequently chosen by developers and the future of DBMS

PostgreSQL is the most commonly used database among professional developers, according to the results of a survey carried out by StackOverflow in 2022. The ever-growing popularity of PostgreSQL is clearly visible in the DB-Engines ranking, where this particular system has recorded continual growth since 2013. Why is that? What distinguishes this database base when compared to its competitors, and what are its perspectives for the future? You will find the answers to those questions in the following article.

According to a recent survey conducted by StackOverflow in 2022, PostgreSQL is the most frequently chosen database amidst professional developers. Among all of the surveyed 73,268 programmers from 180 countries across the globe, as much as 46% pointed to PostgreSQL as the database they have worked with intensively in the last year. It’s also the database they plan to use in the coming year.

The popularity of this database amid developers is growing every year. For reference, in the survey from 2020 PostgreSQL was mentioned by 38.5% of the respondents, whereas MySQL took the first place with a score of 53.5%. In the subsequent year of 2021 the gap has shortened – PostgreSQL has reached a result of 444%, MySQL 48%. In conclusion, PostgreSQL has noted an increase from 38,5%in 2021 to over 46% in 2022 and MySQL has noted a decline from 53.5% in 2020 to 45% in 2022.

The trend of growing popularity of PostgreSQL is also visible in the DB-Engines Ranking, in which from the beginning of the ranking history (which is since 2013) the system has noted a constant growth of popularity. In 10 years (since 2013 to 2023) PostgreSQL has increased its value in the ranking from the level of 167 to 613 points. DBMS Systems, such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and IBM DB2 have been systematically losing popularity according to the DB-Engines ranking, while PostgreSQL has been constantly evolving and growing faster than the market itself.

The gap between PostgreSQL and the current leaders is systematically shortening. As of today, which is March 14, 2023, PostgreSQL occupies the fourth place in the DB-Engines ranking, below Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. This result is estimated on the basis of various factors, such as the number of mentions on the web and in social media, and also the number of job offers, which proves the increasing popularity of PostgreSQL in the industry.

The statistics indicate that more and more programmers turn towards PostgreSQL, as it is considered a reliable and efficient database management system. But why is this trend so prevalent?

The impact of PostgreSQL on productivity and performance of programmers

PostgreSQL is a database, which has many advantages and qualities, which influence the performance and productivity of developers, which may lead to faster software development and creating leverage commercially.

One of its most important qualities is the fact that PostgreSQL supports a vast array of programming languages, including Java, Python, and Ruby. Thanks to that fact, the programmers can use their preferred programming languages for creating applications.

Furthermore, PostgreSQL provides a rich ecosystem of tools, often with an intuitive graphical interface, which facilitates the work using this database on many levels, such as: designing the database, query testing, searching in databases which consists of large amounts of data.

All of this makes PostgreSQL an increasingly popular choice amid programmers and companies which specialize in software development.

Ecosystem of add-on utilities of PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is equipped with a solid ecosystem of various tools and add-on, which facilitate working with the database and vastly expand its functionalities. It is worth to mention some of them:

• pgAdmin – a tool supporting the administration of the database;
• Barman –  a tool for creating and restoring backups after failure;
• pgBadger – a tool for reading the SQL logs;
• pgBouncer – a tool for managing the database connections;
• PostGIS – an add-one for the geospatial data;
• psql – an interactive terminal for working with PostgreSQL.

A list of PostgreSQL’s add-ons is available here:

https://www.postgresql.org/download/products/6-postgresql-extensions/

Learn more about the popular PostgreSQL’s tools here:

https://www.postgresql.org/download/products/1-administrationdevelopment-tools/

https://dzone.com/articles/60-top-postgresql-tools

Case studies of companies which has successfully implemented PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL’s reputation in scope of reliability, stability, and flexibility has made it an attractive option for various companies and institutions. Several companies have successfully implemented PostgreSQL.

EDB Postgres Advanced Server in The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS)

The necessity of increasing the computing power of the systems in ZUS, needed for i.a. handling the social programs, has triggered that a decision has been made on expanding and improving the performance of the database environment. EDB Postgres Advanced Search has been chosen for an unlimited number of servers, which gives the ability to develop the database environment as an answer to the business challenges without generating additional license costs. Thanks to this flexibility, ZUS is prepared for a rapid increment of demand for computing power, for instance in the case of receiving applications for the 500+ social program.

The next benefit of this solution is the high level of security – each version of the software is certified, stable and constantly updated. Additionally, as part of the subscription, ZUS receives tech support from the engineers of Linux Polska and EDB, as well as gathers  access to the set of additional, commercial EDB utilities used in the optimization of efficiency and in advanced administration of complex database environments.

PostgreSQL geographical cluster in the National Digital Archives(NAC)

The National Digital Archives has implemented an innovative solution in the form of a geographical cluster between distant locations. Cluster ensures the availability and uninterrupted operation of applications, as well as a better usage of the computing power of the servers. These servers support the Archives of Electronic Documents, which significantly improves the accessibility and quality of the public services provided by NAC. In the case of failure or shutdown of one of the systems, another takes over its functions, minimizing the interferences of the user’s work.

Additionally, the databases are able to fully replace themselves, which allows for uninterrupted maintenance work. The next benefit of this solution is the EDB Postgres Failover Manager utility, which is used for automatic Postgres cluster’s management, which provides highly accessible infrastructure for EDB Postgres Advanced Server and for the social version of PostgreSQL.

Linux Polska is the founder and supplier of this solution. As part of the project, Linux Polska has supplied and deployed the EDB Postgres databases – primary and backup ones – in the server rooms located in two Polish cities. They have also configured them for high accessibility using the EDB Postgres Failover Manager utility. Moreover, Linux Polska engineering team has provided the transfer of knowledge and technical support through the whole duration of the contract.

PostgreSQL vs. other popular databases like MySQL or Oracle

PostgreSQL offers advantages over other, popular database management systems, like MySQL or Oracle:

• Due to its excellent efficiency and scalability, PostgreSQL is a perfect solution for companies, which need a flexible database management system, which is able to evolve in response to the needs of the company and withstand heavy loads.
• Moreover, PostgreSQL can manage more complicated queries than MySQL, which makes it a better solution for companies, which need to process large amounts of interrelated data or data of complicated connection structure.
• PostgreSQL services a wide scope of data types and, thanks to add-ons, offers functions such as full-text search and geospatial data handling.
• PostgreSQL ecosystem offers the clustering tools, which makes this base a perfect choice for the companies, which need a high level of accessibility.
• It is an open source type software, which can be modified with the aim of adjusting it to the company’s needs. Furthermore, PostgreSQL’s openness makes using it a more economically justifiable choice in comparison to closed code databases.
• The benefits of PostgreSQL exceed its flexibility, though. It is also noted for its reliability and scalability, as well as how easily it manages handling large sets of data.
• PostgreSQL is also highly configurable, which means that it is easy to integrate it with other systems and adjust it to the specific needs of each company.
• Rich ecosystem of tools and add-on of PostgreSQL offers many solutions, which allow the companies a more effective management of databases, which eventually lead to cost saving.
• It also receives a huge backing from the open source community, which leads to constant evolution and improvement of this database.

PostgreSQL with professional tech support

Because the business world generates increasingly more data, the demand for reliable and efficient database management systems, such as PostgreSQL, will be constantly growing. Moreover, thanks to the huge support from the open source community, PostgreSQL is constantly evolving and being improved. The future of PostgreSQL seems very promising. The companies, which are already implementing this database, are building themselves a solid foundation for growth and implementation of innovation in the future.

Professional 24/7 support is provided by the Linux Polska engineering team and EDB. The available enterprise-class PostgreSQL utilities aid in maximizing the investment in PostgreSQL, making it a mature, safe, and reliable component of critically important IT infrastructure.

Learn more about the support services for PostgreSQL and enterprise class PostgreSQL utilities.

If we use PostgreSQL as a component of critical systems, it is worth being sure whether the IT and business teams are sufficiently supported and the data protected. As the experience of users shows, despite PostgreSQL being a base available free of charge, it can generate unpredictable costs in the event of a critical failure. Watch a video from a webinar called Foolproof PostgreSQL with 24/7 support, which will help you to better understand the risk of using PostgreSQL without support. You will discover, on specific examples (authentic user stories) what the consequences of lack of support might be and how much using PostgreSQL without support might cost.

Investing in the development of PostgreSQL competencies – Linux Polska training offer

PostgreSQL is undoubtedly the most popular database chosen by the developers. Therefore, the development of competencies in this area is undoubtedly a good investment for the future and for professional growth. The authorized Linux Polska training-examining center offers comprehensive training programs in PostgreSQL and EDB Postgres solutions. These programs enable administrators and developers to broaden their knowledge and abilities in this field, allowing for more effective utilization of this database in projects.

Learn more about Linux Polska offer of training in PostgreSQL.