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How to Install PostgreSQL

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install PostgreSQL on Linux, macOS, and Windows systems.

This is recommended only for Visionatrix running in SERVER mode.

Installation on Linux

Installing on Ubuntu/Debian

Step 1: Update Package Lists

Open a terminal and update your package lists:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL along with the postgresql-contrib package, which provides additional utilities and features:

sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt install -y postgresql postgresql-contrib

Note: This command will install the default version of PostgreSQL available in your distribution's repositories.

Step 3: Start PostgreSQL

Start the PostgreSQL service:

sudo systemctl start postgresql

Installing on CentOS/RHEL

Step 1: Add Repository

Enable the PostgreSQL repository for the desired version.

Replace 13 with your preferred version (12, 13, 14, etc.):

sudo yum install -y https://download.postgresql.org/pub/repos/yum/13/redhat/rhel-$(rpm -E %{rhel})-x86_64/pgdg-redhat-repo-latest.noarch.rpm

Note: Where you see postgresql13, it can be postgresql12 or postgresql14 based on the version you want.

Step 2: Disable the Default PostgreSQL Module

For CentOS/RHEL 8 and newer:

sudo dnf -qy module disable postgresql

Step 3: Install PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL server:

sudo yum install -y postgresql13-server

Step 4: Initialize and Enable

Initialize the database and enable automatic start:

sudo /usr/pgsql-13/bin/postgresql-13-setup initdb
sudo systemctl enable postgresql-13
sudo systemctl start postgresql-13

Installing on Fedora

Step 1: Install PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL server and contrib packages:

sudo dnf install postgresql-server postgresql-contrib

Step 2: Initialize Database

Initialize the PostgreSQL database:

sudo postgresql-setup --initdb

Step 3: Start PostgreSQL

sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo systemctl enable postgresql

Installation on macOS

Using Homebrew

Step 1: Install Homebrew

If you don't have Homebrew installed, run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 2: Update Homebrew

brew update

Step 3: Install PostgreSQL

brew install postgresql

Step 4: Start PostgreSQL

To start PostgreSQL now and restart at login:

brew services start postgresql

Or, to run it manually:

pg_ctl -D /usr/local/var/postgres start

Using PostgreSQL Installer

Step 1: Download the Installer

Download the PostgreSQL installer for macOS from the official PostgreSQL website.

Step 2: Run the Installer

  • Open the downloaded .dmg file.
  • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Set a password for the postgres user when prompted.

Installation on Windows

PostgreSQL Installer

Step 1: Download the Installer

Download the PostgreSQL installer for Windows from the official PostgreSQL website.

Step 2: Run the Installer

  • Double-click the downloaded .exe file.
  • Follow the installation wizard steps:
    • Set a password for the PostgreSQL superuser (postgres).
    • Choose the port number (default is 5432).
    • Wait for the installation to complete.

Post-Installation Setup

Initializing the Database

In most cases, the database is initialized during installation. If not, follow the steps below.

On Linux

For versions installed via package managers:

sudo su - postgres

Then initialize the database(not always required):

initdb -D /var/lib/pgsql/data

Starting the PostgreSQL

Ensure PostgreSQL is running and set to start on boot.

On Ubuntu/Debian

sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo systemctl enable postgresql

On CentOS/RHEL

sudo systemctl start postgresql-13
sudo systemctl enable postgresql-13

Note: Replace 13 with your PostgreSQL version number.

On Fedora

sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo systemctl enable postgresql

On macOS (Manual Start)

pg_ctl -D /usr/local/var/postgres start

Creating a User and Database

We will create a database named vix_db and a user vix_user with password vix_password, as required by Visionatrix.

Option 1: Via PgSQL Shell

Step 1: Switch to postgres
sudo -u postgres psql
Step 2: Create User
CREATE USER vix_user WITH PASSWORD 'vix_password';
Step 3: Create Database
CREATE DATABASE vix_db OWNER vix_user;
Step 4: Grant Privileges
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE vix_db TO vix_user;
Step 5: Exit Shell
\q

Option 2: Direct Commands

You can execute all commands directly from the terminal:

sudo -u postgres psql -c "CREATE USER vix_user WITH PASSWORD 'vix_password';"
sudo -u postgres psql -c "CREATE DATABASE vix_db OWNER vix_user;"
sudo -u postgres psql -c "GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE vix_db TO vix_user;"

Configuring Visionatrix

After installing and configuring PostgreSQL, you need to set the DATABASE_URI environment variable for Visionatrix to connect to the PostgreSQL database.

Set the DATABASE_URI as follows:

DATABASE_URI="postgresql+psycopg://vix_user:vix_password@localhost:5432/vix_db"

This tells Visionatrix to connect to the PostgreSQL database vix_db on localhost using the user vix_user and password vix_password on port 5432.

Make sure to export this variable or set it in your Visionatrix configuration file as per the installation instructions.

Good luck!