PostgreSQL for Developers: Queries, Functions & Triggers
Writing Efficient SQL, Building Server-Side Logic, and Optimizing Database Workflows
What's Included:
Key Highlights
- Practical SQL mastery for real applications
- Advanced joins, CTEs, and subquery techniques
- JSON and array querying in PostgreSQL
- Indexing fundamentals for developers
- Query performance analysis with EXPLAIN
- Building SQL and PL/pgSQL functions
- Trigger-based automation patterns
- Transactions and concurrency explained clearly
- Appendices with cheat sheets and templates
Overview
Master PostgreSQL as a developer. Write efficient SQL, use JSON and arrays, build PL/pgSQL functions, create triggers, and optimize queries for high-performance applications.
The Problem
Many developers use PostgreSQL only for basic CRUD operations, missing powerful capabilities that improve performance, maintainability, and data integrity.
Common developer challenges include:
- Slow queries due to poor indexing
- Unclear execution plans
- Business logic scattered across application layers
- Improper use of JSON and structured data types
- Concurrency issues and transaction misunderstandings
- Triggers used incorrectly — or avoided entirely
Without deeper knowledge, applications become slower, harder to maintain, and more error-prone.
The Solution
PostgreSQL for Developers provides a clear, practical path to mastering SQL, performance tuning basics, and server-side programming within PostgreSQL.
You will gain:
- Strong query-writing skills for real-world applications
- Confidence using JSON, arrays, and advanced SQL constructs
- Performance awareness without DBA-level complexity
- Ability to write reusable SQL and PL/pgSQL functions
- Practical trigger patterns for automation and integrity
- Solid understanding of transactions and concurrency
The result is cleaner application architecture, faster queries, and more resilient systems.
About This Book
PostgreSQL for Developers: Queries, Functions & Triggers is a practical, developer-focused guide to writing efficient SQL, building server-side logic, and optimizing database-driven applications.
PostgreSQL is more than a data storage engine — it is a powerful development platform. Yet many developers use only a fraction of its capabilities. This book bridges the gap between basic CRUD operations and true database fluency.
Write Better Queries
You will build strong foundations in PostgreSQL querying, including:
- SELECT statements and advanced filtering
- Joins and relational modeling
- Aggregations and grouping strategies
- Subqueries and Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
These chapters focus on clarity, performance, and real-world usage — not academic theory.
Work with Modern Data Structures
PostgreSQL’s native support for JSON, JSONB, and arrays allows developers to model complex data without sacrificing performance. You’ll learn how to query, index, and optimize these data types effectively.
Understand Performance Without Becoming a DBA
Performance matters to developers. This book demystifies:
- How indexes work and when to use them
- Reading query execution plans (EXPLAIN)
- Identifying bottlenecks before they reach production
Build Server-Side Logic
Move business logic closer to your data using:
- SQL functions
- PL/pgSQL procedural programming
- Reusable database logic patterns
Automate with Triggers
Triggers allow PostgreSQL to enforce rules and automate workflows. You’ll learn practical trigger scenarios such as:
- Audit logging
- Data validation and integrity enforcement
- Automatic timestamp management
- Maintaining derived data
Transactions and Concurrency
Every serious developer must understand transactions, isolation levels, and concurrency control. These chapters ensure your applications remain safe, predictable, and consistent under load.
This book transforms PostgreSQL from a passive data store into an active part of your development toolkit.
Who Is This Book For?
- Backend developers working with PostgreSQL
- Full-stack engineers building data-driven applications
- Software developers transitioning into database-heavy systems
- API developers optimizing SQL performance
- Engineers integrating PostgreSQL with modern frameworks
Who Is This Book NOT For?
- Absolute beginners with no SQL familiarity
- Database administrators seeking deep infrastructure tuning content
- Readers focused exclusively on NoSQL databases
- Those looking for ORM-only tutorials without SQL fundamentals
Table of Contents
- Why PostgreSQL Is Developer-Friendly
- Setting Up a Developer Environment
- SELECT Statements and Filtering
- Joins and Data Relationships
- Aggregations and Grouping
- Subqueries and Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
- Working with JSON and Arrays
- Indexing for Developers
- Understanding Query Performance
- Creating SQL Functions
- PL/pgSQL for Application Logic
- Understanding Triggers
- Practical Trigger Scenarios
- Transactions and Data Integrity
- Integrating PostgreSQL with Applications
- From Developer to Database Power User
- Appendix: SQL Cheat Sheet for Developers
- Appendix: Common Query Optimization Patterns
- Appendix: Function and Trigger Templates
- Appendix: Transaction and Concurrency Checklist
- Appendix: PostgreSQL Developer Learning Path
Requirements
- Basic understanding of programming concepts
- Familiarity with simple SQL queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
- Access to a PostgreSQL instance for hands-on practice (recommended)
