PL/pgSQL: Syllabus

Mastering Database Programming with PL/pgSQL

PL/pgSQL (Procedural Language/PostgreSQL) is a powerful procedural language used to write stored procedures, functions, triggers, and automation scripts within PostgreSQL. This book provides a hands-on approach to mastering PL/pgSQL, covering advanced database programming techniques, optimization strategies, and real-world applications.

Module 1: Introduction to PL/pgSQL#

• What is PL/pgSQL? Why use it for database programming?
• Setting up PL/pgSQL in PostgreSQL
• Differences between SQL and PL/pgSQL
• Writing and executing basic PL/pgSQL blocks

Module 2: Working with Stored Procedures and Functions#

• Understanding stored procedures vs. functions
• Creating and executing stored procedures
• Writing functions with parameters and return types
• Using RETURNS TABLE for set-returning functions
• Optimizing functions for performance

Module 3: Control Structures in PL/pgSQL#

• Conditional statements (IF, CASE, ELSE)
• Loops (LOOP, WHILE, FOR, FOREACH)
• Working with cursors for iterative data processing
• Best practices for writing efficient control structures

Module 4: Error Handling and Exception Management#

• Using EXCEPTION blocks for error handling
• Handling custom errors and logging error messages
• Raising exceptions with RAISE NOTICE and RAISE EXCEPTION
• Debugging PL/pgSQL functions and procedures

Module 5: Triggers and Event-Driven Programming#

• Understanding triggers and when to use them
• Creating row-level and statement-level triggers
• Writing BEFORE, AFTER, and INSTEAD OF triggers
• Automating business rules with trigger-based logic

Module 6: Advanced PL/pgSQL Techniques#

• Dynamic SQL execution with EXECUTE
• Using temporary tables and WITH queries
• Performance optimization techniques for PL/pgSQL
• Writing modular and reusable PL/pgSQL code

Module 7: Database Transactions and Concurrency Control#

• Understanding transactions and ACID compliance
• Using BEGIN, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK
• Managing concurrency with LOCK and advisory locks
• Avoiding deadlocks and ensuring data consistency

Module 8: Deploying and Managing PL/pgSQL Code in Production#

• Version-controlling database scripts with Git
• Automating database migrations with Liquibase
• Deploying and testing PL/pgSQL code in CI/CD pipelines
• Best practices for database security and user roles

Hands-On Projects

Project 1: Building a Banking Transaction System#

• Implement stored procedures for deposits, withdrawals, and transfers
• Implement transaction rollback for failed transactions
• Design triggers for auditing and fraud detection

Project 2: Automating Data Archiving with Triggers#

• Create triggers for automatic data archival
• Implement logging mechanisms for archived records
• Optimize storage using partitioning techniques

Project 3: Developing a Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) System#

• Implement PL/pgSQL functions for managing user roles
• Enforce row-level security using policies and triggers
• Secure sensitive data with encryption techniques

Project 4: Real-Time Inventory Management System#

• Create stored procedures for stock updates and order processing
• Implement event-driven triggers for real-time inventory tracking
• Generate reports using aggregated PL/pgSQL functions

Project 5: Performance Optimization for Large-Scale Databases#

• Analyze and optimize slow queries with EXPLAIN ANALYZE
• Implement indexing strategies for PL/pgSQL functions
• Automate maintenance tasks with scheduled procedures

References#

• PostgreSQL Official Documentation
• PL/pgSQL Guide
• PostgreSQL Performance Optimization