How to Install PostgreSQL on Red Hat 8: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

In this step-by-step tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing PostgreSQL on a Red Hat 8 system.

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PostgreSQL, often referred to as Postgres, is a robust and open-source relational database management system known for its advanced features and reliability. In this step-by-step tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing PostgreSQL on a Red Hat 8 system. Additionally, we will cover essential database management tasks, providing you with the knowledge to work effectively with PostgreSQL on your Red Hat-powered server.

Preconditions

Before you begin the installation process, ensure you have met the following prerequisites:

  1. A Red Hat 8 system.
  2. Root or sudo access on the system.
  3. A stable internet connection to download PostgreSQL packages.
  4. Familiarity with basic command-line operations in Red Hat.

With these prerequisites in place, let’s proceed with the installation.

Installing PostgreSQL on Red Hat 8

Step 1: Update the System

Start by ensuring your Red Hat 8 system is up to date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo dnf update

This command will update the package list and upgrade existing packages on your system.

Step 2: Install PostgreSQL

To install PostgreSQL on Red Hat 8, use the following command:

sudo dnf install postgresql-server postgresql-contrib

This command will install both the PostgreSQL server and additional contrib packages that provide useful extensions and utilities.

Step 3: Initialize the PostgreSQL Database

After the installation, initialize the PostgreSQL database cluster by running:

sudo postgresql-setup --initdb

This command will create the necessary directory structure and configuration files for PostgreSQL.

Step 4: Start and Enable PostgreSQL

To start the PostgreSQL service and enable it to start automatically at boot, use these commands:

sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo systemctl enable postgresql

Creating a PostgreSQL User and Database

Let’s create a new PostgreSQL user and database. Replace your_user and your_password with your preferred values:

sudo -u postgres createuser your_user
sudo -u postgres createdb -O your_user your_database

To illustrate PostgreSQL’s capabilities, let’s create a simple table in the newly created database. Access the PostgreSQL command-line tool, psql, using the following command:

sudo -u postgres psql -d your_database

Once in the psql prompt, execute the following SQL commands to create a basic table:

CREATE TABLE example (
    id serial PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR (100),
    age INT
);

Managing the PostgreSQL Service

To manage the PostgreSQL service on Red Hat 8, you can use the following commands:

  • Start PostgreSQL service: sudo systemctl start postgresql

  • Stop PostgreSQL service: sudo systemctl stop postgresql

  • Restart PostgreSQL service: sudo systemctl restart postgresql

  • Check PostgreSQL service status: sudo systemctl status postgresql

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed PostgreSQL on your Red Hat 8 system, created a database, and learned how to perform basic management tasks. PostgreSQL’s extensive feature set makes it a versatile choice for various data storage needs.

With PostgreSQL now installed and running, you are well-prepared to build and manage databases for your Red Hat-based applications, leveraging its scalability and reliability for your data-driven projects. Explore PostgreSQL’s documentation to discover its full potential and adapt it to your specific requirements.

If you want to learn more about MySQL, please use our PostgreSQL tutorials and PostgreSQL Reference.