7 PostgreSQL Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Hans-Jürgen Schönig draws on two decades of PostgreSQL experience to guide you through the latest features of PostgreSQL 15, focusing on advanced database administration and optimization. You'll gain practical insights into performance tuning, logical replication, and security enhancements, such as managing backups, encryption, and failover techniques. The book also helps you navigate migration from Oracle to PostgreSQL, making it a solid resource for professionals deepening their database expertise. If you're comfortable with the basics of PostgreSQL and eager to master complex, real-world challenges, this book offers detailed technical guidance without unnecessary jargon.

What happens when deep PostgreSQL expertise meets hands-on database challenges? Gianni Ciolli and his co-authors leverage their extensive experience to deliver a recipe-driven guide covering PostgreSQL 16's latest features. You’ll learn how to optimize batch loading with SQL MERGE, improve backup compression, and implement logical replication for parallel transactions. This book walks you through real database administration tasks like monitoring, security enhancements, and performance tuning, making it an effective reference whether you’re managing live production systems or refining your Postgres skills. It’s particularly suited for database administrators and developers looking for direct solutions without fluff.

This tailored PostgreSQL Mastery Blueprint explores the depth and breadth of PostgreSQL to match your unique background and goals. It covers core concepts like database architecture and SQL essentials while delving into advanced topics such as performance tuning, replication, and security, all aligned with your interests. By synthesizing expert knowledge and focusing on your specific needs, this book offers a personalized pathway through PostgreSQL’s complexities. It reveals practical examples and troubleshooting techniques that reflect real-world scenarios, making your learning both relevant and efficient. With a tailored approach, it ensures you engage deeply with material that advances your skills and mastery.

After years immersed in PostgreSQL source code and client consulting, Gregory Smith offers a detailed look at how to boost your PostgreSQL database performance from design through ongoing maintenance. You’ll explore practical techniques for monitoring system health, optimizing queries with indexes, tuning hardware and OS settings, and scaling with partitioning and replication. Chapter examples walk you through spotting performance bottlenecks early and applying fixes before they disrupt operations. If you manage PostgreSQL in demanding environments and want to understand the why and how behind performance tuning, this book delivers clear, experience-based guidance without unnecessary jargon.

Unlike most PostgreSQL books that focus narrowly on basics, Regina O. Obe and Leo S. Hsu dive deep into the advanced features that make PostgreSQL a robust open source platform. You explore not just administration tasks like role management and backups, but also cutting-edge capabilities such as foreign data wrappers and built-in logical replication introduced in recent versions. The authors’ expertise shines through practical examples demonstrating how to optimize queries, write complex database functions in multiple languages, and leverage features that many users overlook. If you’re ready to move beyond the fundamentals and harness PostgreSQL’s full power, this book offers a clear, fast-paced guide tailored for you.

After years immersed in the evolution of PostgreSQL, Luca Ferrari crafted this edition to guide you through version 16 with clarity and depth. You'll explore everything from foundational SQL commands to advanced topics like partitioning, replication, and server-side programming, backed by practical Docker-based exercises. The book's chapters build your competence systematically, covering configuration, security, migration strategies, and disaster recovery with concrete examples. Whether you’re starting fresh or scaling high-availability systems, this resource equips you with essential skills to manage and optimize PostgreSQL databases effectively.

This tailored book offers a focused 30-day exploration of PostgreSQL designed to match your background and learning goals. It covers essential concepts like database structure, query optimization, and performance tuning, alongside practical steps to build your skills rapidly. By concentrating on areas relevant to your projects and current expertise, the content ensures effective progress without unnecessary detours. The personalized approach weaves together foundational knowledge and advanced techniques, making complex topics approachable and immediately applicable. Covering indexing strategies, replication fundamentals, and efficient data management, this book reveals how to deepen your PostgreSQL mastery with clear, actionable guidance tailored to your unique learning path.

Rick Silva's decades of database experience shine through in this focused guide to PostgreSQL development. You’ll quickly learn practical skills such as writing SQL queries, creating tables, and managing data integrity, all centered on the latest Postgres version 15. Silva doesn't just teach syntax; he shares insights drawn from years of hands-on work, including how to use functions, triggers, and views effectively. Whether you’re new to databases or looking to solidify foundational Postgres skills, this book offers clear explanations without unnecessary complexity, making it a solid pick if you want to understand core database development tasks.

When Tony CL Chan puts his certified PostgreSQL DBA expertise on display, you get a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of managing this powerful database system. This book goes beyond basics to teach you how to avoid common pitfalls like slow query responses caused by misconfigurations, with chapters dedicated to advanced indexing techniques and high availability setups. You’ll find clear guidance on PostgreSQL versions 13 through 17, including practical instructions for installation on Windows, Mac, and Linux, plus strategies for backup, recovery, and security models. If you’re aiming to master PostgreSQL administration with real-world skills, this guide offers detailed insights that benefit both newcomers and seasoned DBAs alike.