PostgreSQL: the Suitable DBMS Solution for Astronomy and Astrophysics

Abstract

PostgreSQL, the open-source ORDBMS, is one of the best solutions for science. Compared to several available commercial and noncommercial database engines, it appears to be the most versatile. Extensibility is the most remarkable feature of PostgreSQL – it allows to develop custom data types, queries and indexed access methods, optimized for specific tasks. We present two contribution modules for PostgreSQL: pgSphere, offering the capability for dealing with geometrical objects in spherical coordinates, and pgAstro, based on the pgSphere, providing astronomy-specific functions and methods 1. What is PostgreSQL and why we’re using it? PostgreSQL is an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS) based on Postgres v.4.2, developed at the University of California at Berkeley CS Department. PostgreSQL provides SQL92/SQL99 language support and numerous powerful features making it well-suited for different scientific and technological tasks. A lot of object-relational concepts assisting in modern commercials were pioneered in Postgres. The main concepts and features of PostgreSQL are: • rapidly developing open source freely distributed DBMS • SQL support and object-relational concepts • simple and handy front-end interfaces for different software platforms • extensibility of the DB server functions, i.e. developing of custom data types and data access methods These features allow PostgreSQL to be used in different scientific projects. At present it is being used in the following projects related to astronomy: