It’s called the brain of the database. The optimizer in PostgreSQL interprets SQL queries and determines the fastest method of execution. That’s according to Bruce Momjian, EnterpriseDB senior database architect and co-founder of the PostgreSQL Global Development Group. Bruce delved into the PostgreSQL optimizer during the recent PG Con 2014.
As Bruce described his lecture, he tapped the EXPLAIN command to show how the optimizer interprets queries and determines optimal execution. He covered examples of scan methods, index selection, join types, and how ANALYZE statistics influence their selection.
The goal was to help developers and DBAs understand how queries in PostgreSQL are executed and how to optimize that process.
Watch the video of his presentation or view the Powerpoint slides. For more information about Postgres, contact us.
Keith Alsheimer is Chief Marketing Officer of EnterpriseDB.