The PostgreSQL Global Development Group has announced the release of PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2, which is now available for download. This beta version introduces several enhancements and bug fixes, including support for prepared statements, foreign key validation improvements, injection point testing, and updates to pg_dump for complex tables. Additionally, it addresses issues such as stack overflow for OAuth parsers, adjustments to the default behavior of pg_dump and pg_dumpall, and enhancements to GIN amcheck.
The release of PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2 provides a preview of the features expected in the final version, although changes may occur throughout the beta testing phase. Users are encouraged to test the new features in non-production environments to help identify and resolve any issues. Feedback from the community is crucial in ensuring that PostgreSQL 18 meets high standards of stability and reliability.
To upgrade to this beta version from previous PostgreSQL editions, users should follow similar procedures as major version upgrades, such as utilizing pg_upgrade or pg_dump/pg_restore.
Key changes since Beta 1 include:
- Enhanced support for prepared statements in query jumbling.
- Improved foreign key validation for partitioned tables.
- Removal of the pg_get_process_memory_contexts() function.
- Fixes for injection point testing with AIO support.
- Corrections to pg_dump functionality for tables with complex names.
- Adjustments to statement location calculations in nested queries.
- Resolutions for upgrade issues from PostgreSQL 14 in scenarios with unknown row counts.
- Stack overflow fixes for OAuth parsers.
- Adjusted default behaviors for pg_dump and pg_dumpall.
- Ensured functionality of LOAD $libdir/.
- Improvements to GIN amcheck.
- Removal of PQservice() from libpq.
A complete list of features and changes is available in the release notes, and the community is encouraged to report any bugs and issues they encounter during testing. The PostgreSQL project plans to continue the beta testing phase, with further iterations and potential release candidates leading up to the final release anticipated around September/October 2025.
In summary, PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2 is a significant step towards the stable release of a new version of this advanced open-source relational database. The active participation of the community in testing and providing feedback will play a pivotal role in refining the final product
The release of PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2 provides a preview of the features expected in the final version, although changes may occur throughout the beta testing phase. Users are encouraged to test the new features in non-production environments to help identify and resolve any issues. Feedback from the community is crucial in ensuring that PostgreSQL 18 meets high standards of stability and reliability.
To upgrade to this beta version from previous PostgreSQL editions, users should follow similar procedures as major version upgrades, such as utilizing pg_upgrade or pg_dump/pg_restore.
Key changes since Beta 1 include:
- Enhanced support for prepared statements in query jumbling.
- Improved foreign key validation for partitioned tables.
- Removal of the pg_get_process_memory_contexts() function.
- Fixes for injection point testing with AIO support.
- Corrections to pg_dump functionality for tables with complex names.
- Adjustments to statement location calculations in nested queries.
- Resolutions for upgrade issues from PostgreSQL 14 in scenarios with unknown row counts.
- Stack overflow fixes for OAuth parsers.
- Adjusted default behaviors for pg_dump and pg_dumpall.
- Ensured functionality of LOAD $libdir/.
- Improvements to GIN amcheck.
- Removal of PQservice() from libpq.
A complete list of features and changes is available in the release notes, and the community is encouraged to report any bugs and issues they encounter during testing. The PostgreSQL project plans to continue the beta testing phase, with further iterations and potential release candidates leading up to the final release anticipated around September/October 2025.
In summary, PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2 is a significant step towards the stable release of a new version of this advanced open-source relational database. The active participation of the community in testing and providing feedback will play a pivotal role in refining the final product
PostgreSQL 18 Beta 2 released
The second beta version of PostgreSQL 18 is now available for download, featuring fixes and improvements such as support for prepared statements, foreign key validation, injection point testing, and pg_dump for complex tables. It also addresses stack overflow for OAuth parsers, pg_dump and pg_dumpall default behavior, LOAD $libdir/ functionality, GIN amcheck improvements, and removal of PQservice() from libpq.
