Key enhancements in PostgreSQL 18 include an asynchronous I/O subsystem that significantly improves I/O throughput and reduces latency, with performance gains between 2-3 times for certain operations. The new release also features advancements in query optimization, innovative indexing capabilities, and parallel builds for GIN indexes and materialized views. Locking performance for complex queries has been improved, and the ability to retain planner statistics during major version upgrades will streamline the transition to PostgreSQL 18.
Notably, PostgreSQL 18 introduces virtual generated columns for real-time computation during query execution and enhances the RETURNING clause to access both old and new values in data manipulation commands. The release also supports UUIDv7 generation, nondeterministic collation for LIKE comparisons, and incorporates the CASEFOLD feature for case-insensitive searches.
Security improvements include the introduction of OAuth authentication and enhancements to the SCRAM authentication method, moving away from md5 password authentication. Monitoring capabilities have been expanded with more detailed EXPLAIN utility output, aiding in better query plan execution analysis.
New features also bring default data checksums for new clusters, enhanced constraint behaviors, and a new PostgreSQL wire protocol version (3.2). The community is encouraged to engage in testing to ensure the highest quality and stability of the final release, with a comprehensive list of features and modifications available in the release notes.
In summary, PostgreSQL 18 Beta 1 represents a significant step forward for the database system, promising improved performance, enhanced security, and better usability. The ongoing beta testing phase will be crucial for fine-tuning these features before the official release expected around September/October 2025.
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To maximize the benefits of PostgreSQL 18, organizations should consider planning their testing strategies and preparing their development and production environments for the upcoming release. It will be essential to assess how the new features can be integrated into existing applications and workflows. Furthermore, users should stay informed about the beta schedule and actively participate in the feedback process, which can shape the final version of PostgreSQL 18.Additionally, training sessions or workshops could be beneficial to familiarize teams with the new features, especially regarding performance optimization and security enhancements. As businesses continue to rely on data-driven insights, leveraging the advancements in PostgreSQL 18 can provide a competitive edge in data management and analytics
PostgreSQL 18 Beta 1 released
You can now download PostgreSQL 18 Beta 1, which offers previews of all features included in the official database release. The release notes detail all features and modifications implemented. The community invites users to evaluate the new features on their systems to identify and resolve bugs and other issues. PostgreSQL 18 introduces an asynchronous I/O subsystem, enhancements in query optimization, and innovative indexing features. It additionally facilitates parallel builds for GIN indexes, partition keys, and materialized views with unique indexes; enhances locking performance for queries involving multiple relations; and offers advancements in text processing.
The release additionally enables the retention of planner statistics during a major version upgrade, facilitating a quicker attainment of the expected performance state for the upgraded cluster. Furthermore, pg_upgrade, the tool designed to assist with major version upgrades, includes various performance improvements aimed at expediting upgrades involving numerous objects, including tables and sequences. The release enables pg_upgrade to execute its checks concurrently, utilizes the configurations specified by the --jobs flag, and introduces the --swap flag.
