PostgreSQL 8.4 Proves Feature-Rich
The free database system PostgreSQL is available in version 8.4 with numerous new features and enhancements.
The PostgreSQL Group counts 293 enhancements for its 8.4 release over its predecessor. Among the most important is Parallel Restore, with up to eight times faster backup file restoration, which can apply to 8.2 and 8.3 backups as well. As far as database security, column-level permissions can now be set along with the table itself.
The sorting methods (character collations) can be set by database apart from at installation, a welcome feature for multilingual environments. A few new monitoring features will also be helpful for large enterprise environments.
The query language was enhanced through advanced features of the SQL 2003 ANSI standard, such as aggregate operations through windowing. Common table expressions allowing named subqueries and recursive joins also reduce queries to far fewer than previously required.
An overview of the PostgreSQL 8.4 feature enhancements is available as a list or a matrix comparing it to the previous five releases.
PostgreSQL is ready for download under a BSD license. Apart from the source code, there are binary packages for 32-bit and 64-bit Intel CPUs, with specific distro packages also in the offering.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
KDE Unleashes Plasma 6.5
The Plasma 6.5 desktop environment is now available with new features, improvements, and the usual bug fixes.
-
Xubuntu Site Possibly Hacked
It appears that the Xubuntu site was hacked and briefly served up a malicious ZIP file from its download page.
-
LMDE 7 Now Available
Linux Mint Debian Edition, version 7, has been officially released and is based on upstream Debian.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.