Why is PostgreSQL considered an advanced relational database?

  1. Powerful features: PostgreSQL supports advanced capabilities such as complex queries, triggers, and MVCC.
  2. Strong consistency: Its concurrency model helps keep data consistent under high load.
  3. Great scalability: It supports both vertical and horizontal growth scenarios.
  4. Security: It provides access control and encryption options.
  5. Backup and recovery: It includes robust backup and recovery mechanisms.
  6. Free and open source: You can use, modify, and distribute it freely.

Install PostgreSQL and pgAdmin

There are multiple installation options. A simple setup is to install PostgreSQL with pgAdmin, then use pgAdmin for management and remote connections.

Connect to PostgreSQL from Visual Studio Code

You can connect using Microsoft’s PostgreSQL extension or third-party extensions.

Use AI assistants in VS Code to write SQL

GitHub Copilot can help generate SQL based on context and improve efficiency.

Migrate SQL Server to PostgreSQL

You can use SQL Server Import and Export Wizard. See Microsoft docs:

Connect to a PostgreSQL data source (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)

Use EF Core with PostgreSQL

Entity Framework Core supports PostgreSQL via provider packages.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;

namespace EFCoreDemo
{
    public class Program
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            using (var db = new BloggingContext())
            {
                db.Blogs.Add(new Blog { Url = "http://blogs.msdn.com/adonet" });
                var count = db.SaveChanges();
                Console.WriteLine("{0} records saved to database", count);

                Console.WriteLine();
                Console.WriteLine("All blogs in database:");
                foreach (var blog in db.Blogs)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine(" - {0}", blog.Url);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    public class BloggingContext : DbContext
    {
        public DbSet<Blog> Blogs { get; set; }
        public DbSet<Post> Posts { get; set; }

        protected override void OnConfiguring(DbContextOptionsBuilder optionsBuilder)
        {
            optionsBuilder.UseNpgsql(@"Host=localhost;Database=postgres;Username=postgres;Password=123456");
        }
    }

    public class Blog
    {
        public int BlogId { get; set; }
        public string Url { get; set; }

        public List<Post> Posts { get; set; }
    }

    public class Post
    {
        public int PostId { get; set; }
        public string Title { get; set; }
        public string Content { get; set; }

        public int BlogId { get; set; }
        public Blog Blog { get; set; }
    }
}