We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

PostgreSQL Fundamentals

This course covers the fundamentals of PostgreSQL. You will learn about the history and lineage of PostgreSQL, as well as database basics and using PostgreSQL.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by AWS instructors, who are authorities in this field

Covers the foundations of PostgreSQL, building a solid base

Provides an overview of PostgreSQL history and development

Focuses on practical application, helping learners apply their knowledge

Meets industry standards, ensuring relevance in the field

Requires no prior knowledge, making it suitable for beginners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Postgresql fundamentals: a solid beginner foundation

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive and solid introduction to PostgreSQL, making it an excellent starting point for beginners and those new to databases. Students frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations and the course's well-structured, logical progression. The hands-on labs are highlighted as particularly effective for reinforcing concepts. While some earlier feedback mentioned minor issues like outdated tool versions or audio quality concerns, recent reviews suggest these may have been addressed, with current material being described as up-to-date and the instructor's delivery engaging. It provides a strong foundation but is designed for fundamentals, not advanced expertise.

Opinions vary on pacing and desired depth for advanced topics.

"The pace was perfect, and the examples were super relevant."

"My only minor gripe is that some of the advanced topics could have been explored a bit more..."

"I found some parts a bit dry, and the demos sometimes felt a little rushed."

"I felt some sections moved too quickly. I had to pause and re-watch several times."

Recent reviews indicate improvements, addressing past concerns.

"The course material is up-to-date, and the instructor's delivery is engaging."

"The course is okay, but it seems to have some outdated information regarding tool versions. I had some trouble setting up my environment exactly as shown."

"Horrible course. The instructor mumbles, and the audio quality is poor. The content is barely coherent..."

"I initially found some parts unclear or outdated, but recent updates have made the course much better."

Ideal for absolute beginners, less so for advanced topics.

"This course is fantastic for beginners!"

"Excellent beginner course! I had no prior experience with databases, and this course made learning PostgreSQL enjoyable."

"It's truly a 'fundamentals' course, so don't expect advanced topics."

"I felt confident using PostgreSQL now for my projects at work. It's a great foundation."

Effective hands-on labs and practical examples reinforce learning.

"I loved the hands-on labs; they made everything click."

"The practical examples were spot on. It builds concepts logically."

"The practical exercises were beneficial, though I'd have liked more challenging ones."

"The labs were useful for practical application, even though some felt they could be more challenging."

The instructor provides very clear and well-structured explanations.

"The instructor explains complex concepts with such clarity."

"The content is well-structured, and the lectures are clear."

"The explanations of JOINs and aggregate functions were particularly clear."

"I had no prior experience with databases, and this course made learning PostgreSQL enjoyable and straightforward. The visual aids in the lectures were very helpful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in PostgreSQL Fundamentals with these activities:

Review basic SQL syntax and concepts

Show steps

Strengthen your foundational knowledge of SQL to enhance your understanding of PostgreSQL's syntax and query capabilities.

Browse courses on SQL

Show steps

Review online resources and tutorials
Practice writing basic SQL queries
Take a refresher course or workshop

Watch video tutorials on PostgreSQL best practices

Show steps

Learn from experts and gain insights into industry-standard techniques for efficient and reliable PostgreSQL database management.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Search for reputable PostgreSQL video tutorials
Watch and follow along with the tutorials
Take notes on key concepts and practices

Read 'Database Systems: The Complete Book' by Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeff Ullman, and Jennifer Widom

Show steps

Get an in-depth understanding of database systems, including PostgreSQL, and the concepts of database design, query processing, and transaction management.

View Database Systems: The Complete Book on Amazon

Show steps

Read the introduction and Chapter 1
Review the remaining chapters
Work through the exercises and problems at the end of each chapter

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Practice writing SQL queries

Show steps

Enhance your SQL skills and reinforce your understanding of PostgreSQL syntax and query optimization techniques.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Use online SQL practice platforms
Solve PostgreSQL-specific exercises and challenges
Review and analyze sample queries
Participate in online forums and discussions

Build a simple PostgreSQL database application

Show steps

Apply the concepts learned in the course to a practical project, strengthening your understanding of PostgreSQL and database application development.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Design and plan your database schema
Create the database and tables
Write SQL queries to insert, update, and retrieve data
Implement basic CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Test and debug your application

Join a study group or online forum for PostgreSQL

Show steps

Connect with other learners, ask questions, share knowledge, and engage in discussions to deepen your understanding of PostgreSQL.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Find active PostgreSQL communities online
Join a study group or discussion forum
Participate in discussions and ask for help
Share your own knowledge and insights

Create a comprehensive study guide

Show steps

Consolidate your notes, assignments, and other resources into a structured and organized study guide for effective revision.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Review and sort your notes
Organize materials by topic
Summarize key concepts and examples
Include practice questions and exercises

Design a PostgreSQL database schema for a specific use case

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of PostgreSQL to design a database schema that meets the specific requirements of a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on PostgreSQL

Show steps

Identify the use case and requirements
Create an ER diagram
Translate the ER diagram to a PostgreSQL schema
Test and validate the schema

Career center

Learners who complete PostgreSQL Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator designs and manages an organization's database management systems, ensuring optimal performance for critical business operations. This course provides a strong foundation for success as a database administrator, helping you build a solid understanding of PostgreSQL, a widely-used and powerful open-source database management system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Analyst

Data analysts use data to solve business problems and drive decision-making. They collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns, and PostgreSQL is a popular tool for data analysis. This course provides a solid foundation in PostgreSQL, helping you build the technical skills needed to succeed as a data analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software, often working on projects that require a strong understanding of database management systems. This course provides a foundation in PostgreSQL and database fundamentals, helping you build the technical skills needed to succeed as a software engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

System Engineer

Systems Engineers design, implement, and manage computer and information systems, ensuring that they meet the needs of the organization. PostgreSQL is a common component of enterprise systems, and this course provides a solid understanding of the database, helping you build the technical skills needed to succeed as a systems engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Engineer

Network Administrator

Network administrators manage and maintain computer networks, ensuring that they are secure and reliable. PostgreSQL is often used in network management systems, and this course provides a foundation in the database, helping you build the technical skills needed to succeed as a network administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications, many of which rely on PostgreSQL for database management. This course provides a good foundation in PostgreSQL, helping you build the technical skills necessary for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Scientist

Data scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms. PostgreSQL is a common tool for managing and analyzing large datasets, and this course provides a solid foundation in the database, helping you build the technical skills needed to succeed as a data scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Database Designer

Database designers create and maintain the structure and organization of databases, ensuring that they meet the needs of the business or organization. This course may provide a basic understanding of database fundamentals and design principles that could be helpful for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

IT Manager

IT managers plan, implement, and manage the IT infrastructure and services of an organization. This may include overseeing database management systems, making this course potentially helpful for those looking to advance in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in PostgreSQL Fundamentals.

PostgreSQL: Up and Running

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of PostgreSQL, covering topics such as installation, configuration, administration, and development. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about PostgreSQL or use it in their projects.

PostgreSQL: Up and Running: A Practical Guide to...

Kindle Edition

Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML and...

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of PostgreSQL, covering installation, configuration, administration, and development. It is particularly useful for beginners and those looking for a practical guide to using PostgreSQL.

HTML, CSS & JavaScript Web Publishing in One Hour a...

Kindle Edition

Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing With HTML and...

Paperback

$$$

Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML and...

Kindle Edition

PostgreSQL 16 Administration Cookbook

Save

Provides a collection of recipes for common PostgreSQL administration tasks, such as creating and managing databases, users, and roles; configuring performance; and troubleshooting. It useful reference for PostgreSQL administrators.

PostgreSQL 16 Administration Cookbook: Solve real...

Kindle Edition

SQL Performance Explained

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to SQL performance tuning. It covers a wide range of topics, including query optimization, indexing, and configuration. It valuable resource for PostgreSQL developers.

SQL Performance Explained Everything Developers...

Paperback

Database Systems: The Complete Book

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of database systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from data models to query processing to database design. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about database systems in general and PostgreSQL in particular.

Database Systems: The Complete Book

Kindle Edition

$$$

Database Systems The Complete Book

Paperback

Database Systems: The Complete Book

Hardcover

$$$$

Goal Student Access Code Card for Database Systems:...

Printed Access Code

High Performance MySQL

Save

Provides a gentle introduction to PostgreSQL for beginners. It covers the basics of database design, installation, configuration, and development. It useful resource for those new to PostgreSQL.

High Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups, and...

Paperback

High Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups,...

Paperback

(中文) High Performance MySQL ( 3rd Edition ) (MySQL...

Paperback