PostgreSQL - Psql commands

Last Updated : 04 Jul, 2024

PostgreSQL, or Postgres, is an object-relational database management system that utilizes the SQL language. PSQL is a powerful interactive terminal for working with the PostgreSQL database. It enables users to execute queries efficiently and manage databases effectively.

Here, we highlight some of the most frequently used PSQL commands, detailing their functionalities to enhance your PostgreSQL experience.

Top PSQL Commands in PostgreSQL

Here are the top 22 PSQL commands that are frequently used when querying a PostgreSQL database:

Serial No.	Command	Description
1	`psql -d database -U user -W`	Connects to a database under a specific user
2	`psql -h host -d database -U user -W`	Connect to a database that resides on another host
3	`psql -U user -h host "dbname=db sslmode=require"`	Use SSL mode for the connection
4	`\c dbname`	Switch connection to a new database
5	`\l`	List available databases
6	`\dt`	List available tables
7	`\d table_name`	Describe a table such as a column, type, modifiers of columns, etc.
8	`\dn`	List all schemes of the currently connected database
9	`\df`	List available functions in the current database
10	`\dv`	List available views in the current database
11	`\du`	List all users and their assign roles
12	`SELECT version();`	Retrieve the current version of PostgreSQL server
13	`\g`	Execute the last command again
14	`\s`	Display command history
15	`\s filename`	Save the command history to a file
16	`\i filename`	Execute psql commands from a file
17	`\?`	Know all available psql commands
18	`\h`	Get help
19	`\e`	Edit command in your own editor
20	`\a`	Switch from aligned to non-aligned column output
21	`\H`	Switch the output to HTML format
22	`\q`	Exit psql shell

Additional Information:

The -d option in psql commands is used to state the database name.
The -U option specifies the database user.
The -h option indicates the host on which the database server resides.
The \h ALTER TABLE can be used to get detailed information on the ALTER TABLE statement.

Conclusion

Understanding and utilizing Psql commands can significantly enhance your efficiency when working with PostgreSQL. Here we provided an overview of essential commands to help you manage your databases more effectively. These commands are vital tools for any PostgreSQL user.

The psql interface is powerful and allows you to do many things, including running SQL statements. If you want to get started with PostgreSQL or deepen your knowledge, check out our PostgreSQL Tutorial. You can also check out the Postgre articles on our blog.