PostgreSQL 17: incremental backups, JSON_TABLE and less memory for VACUUM

2024-09-26 · Publisher : PostgreSQL Global Development Group · Domain : Cloud & DevOps

PostgreSQL 17 brings incremental backups with pg_basebackup, JSON_TABLE, up to 20 times less memory for VACUUM and simpler major upgrades for logical replication.

### Background On 26 September 2024, the PostgreSQL Global Development Group released **PostgreSQL 17**. This version, which bears directly on managed Postgres offerings, combines performance gains, SQL functions for JSON and operations tooling. ### Key facts - Performance: a new internal structure cuts the memory consumed by VACUUM by up to 20 times; up to 2 times more write throughput under high concurrency; COPY up to 2 times faster when exporting large rows. - JSON: **JSON_TABLE** converts JSON into a table, with the SQL/JSON functions JSON_EXISTS, JSON_QUERY and JSON_VALUE; MERGE accepts the RETURNING clause. - Backup: pg_basebackup supports **incremental backups**, rebuilt with pg_combinebackup. - High availability: logical replication slots survive major upgrades; new pg_createsubscriber tool to convert a physical replica into a logical one. - Operations: COPY ON_ERROR option, pg_wait_events view, new pg_maintain role. ### Why it matters Postgres powers many managed services, hence the importance of its versions for the teams operating them. Incremental backups and logical replication continuity reduce downtime windows during upgrades. What remains to check is how quickly each cloud provider offers version 17 and its features. ### Takeaway PostgreSQL 17 strengthens operations and backup, two decisive points for managed databases.

Tags : Open Source, Données, Cloud