PostgreSQL: More Than Just a Relational Database

PostgreSQL is the default database across every product at Nexis Limited. Its combination of ACID compliance, rich data types, extensibility, and a thriving ecosystem makes it suitable for virtually any application — from simple CRUD systems to complex analytics platforms. Yet many developers only scratch the surface of what PostgreSQL offers.

Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

CTEs allow you to write modular, readable SQL by defining named temporary result sets. Recursive CTEs are particularly useful for hierarchical data like organizational charts — a feature we use extensively in Ultimate HRM for multi-level management structures.

Window Functions

Window functions perform calculations across a set of rows related to the current row without collapsing the result set. Use cases include running totals, moving averages, rank calculations, and lead/lag comparisons. In Bondorix, we use window functions to rank vendor bids and calculate rolling shipment volume trends.

JSONB for Semi-Structured Data

PostgreSQL's JSONB type stores JSON data in a binary format with indexing support. This is invaluable when your schema needs flexibility — storing user preferences, form configurations, or API responses without requiring schema migrations. GIN indexes on JSONB columns provide fast query performance even on deeply nested structures.

Full-Text Search

PostgreSQL includes a built-in full-text search engine with support for stemming, ranking, and phrase matching. For many applications, this eliminates the need for a separate search infrastructure like Elasticsearch. We use it in Digital School for searching student records, course materials, and announcements.

Table Partitioning

When tables grow to hundreds of millions of rows, partitioning divides them into smaller, more manageable pieces based on a partition key — typically a date range. Queries that filter on the partition key automatically skip irrelevant partitions, dramatically improving performance. We use range partitioning in Bondorix for shipment history and audit logs.

Row-Level Security (RLS)

RLS allows you to define security policies directly in the database that control which rows a user can access. This is particularly powerful in multi-tenant SaaS applications where all tenants share the same database but must see only their own data. Combined with PostgreSQL roles, RLS provides defense-in-depth security.

Extensions Worth Knowing

  • pg_cron: Schedule recurring SQL jobs directly in the database — cleaning expired sessions, refreshing materialized views, or generating reports.
  • pgvector: Store and query vector embeddings for AI/ML applications, enabling similarity search directly in PostgreSQL.
  • PostGIS: Add geographic data types and spatial queries, essential for logistics and delivery applications.
  • pg_stat_statements: Track query performance statistics to identify slow queries and optimization opportunities.

Conclusion

PostgreSQL's feature set is deep enough to handle most application requirements without bolting on additional infrastructure. Before adding a new technology to your stack, check whether PostgreSQL already has a solution built in.

Need help optimizing your PostgreSQL setup? Reach out to our team for expert guidance.