Database Insights

Walk through PostgreSQL's multi-process architecture, shared/local memory layout, page-organized storage, MVCC tuple versioning, the WAL write path, the query execution pipeline, and physical + logical replication — all with ASCII flow diagrams that show how data and control actually move through the system.

Run PostgreSQL schema changes without locking: CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY, NOT VALID constraints, expand-contract column type changes, and lock_timeout. Covers pg_repack for table rewrites.

PostgreSQL 17 ships eager freezing and improved autovacuum prioritization, the most significant vacuum improvements in a decade. Learn how to tune autovacuum for high-write tables and prevent transaction ID wraparound.

Use pg_repack to reclaim PostgreSQL table bloat without the exclusive lock of VACUUM FULL. Covers installation, table vs index repack, disk space requirements, and throttling.

Tune autovacuum for high-churn PostgreSQL tables. Lower scale factors, monitor dead tuple accumulation, detect wraparound risk, and use pg_stat_progress_vacuum.

Measure and reclaim PostgreSQL index bloat using pgstatindex and REINDEX CONCURRENTLY. Learn safe online index rebuilding and autovacuum tuning to prevent future bloat.

PostgreSQL 17 is one of the most impactful releases in years. Incremental backups, vacuum improvements, logical replication failover slots, and planner enhancements are all production-critical changes.

Your PostgreSQL table is 120GB but only contains 40GB of live data. Learn to measure bloat with pgstattuple, understand why autovacuum falls behind, and reclaim space with pg_repack without table locks.