Software Engineering Daily Building PostgreSQL for the Future with Heikki Linnakangas
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May 20, 2025 Heikki Linnakangas, a leading developer for PostgreSQL and co-founder of Neon, dives into the evolution of PostgreSQL from an underdog to a dominant database choice. He discusses the innovations at Neon, including a serverless architecture that improves scalability and data management. The conversation also covers PostgreSQL's extensibility, advanced features like pgvector for AI applications, and the ongoing challenges of performance and data integrity. Heikki shares valuable insights on community engagement and the future of PostgreSQL in cloud environments.
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Postgres' Shift to Default DB
- Heikki Linnakangas shared how PostgreSQL was rarely the default choice back in 2003, unlike MySQL which was more popular.
- Over time, Postgres became the default database, a surprising shift according to Heikki's long experience.
Why Postgres Lasts
- PostgreSQL's longevity stems from its stable release schedule and strong ecosystem.
- Openness and regular yearly updates created a snowball effect boosting its popularity.
Postgres Extensibility Architecture
- Postgres' extensibility through custom data types and operators is core to its design from 30 years ago.
- Extensions like PostGIS and PG Vector thrive due to modularity and different licensing, enriching the ecosystem.
