Extension
A package of code and SQL objects to extend PostgreSQL functionality
An extension is a package of code and SQL objects to extend PostgreSQL functionality.
Extension support was introduced in PostgreSQL 9.1.
psql
Available extensions can be listed with the slash command \dx; \dx+ lists each extension and its associated objects. See below for examples.
System catalogue objects
Tables
Views
Functions
pg_extension_update_paths()
Contrib modules
Most contrib modules are implemented as extensions.
Suitable existing contrib modules were converted en-mass to extensions in commit 629b3af2.
Change history
- PostgreSQL 13
- concept of "trusted extensions" added (commit 50fc694e)
- PostgreSQL 9.1
- many contrib modules converted to extensions (commit 629b3af2)
- added (commit d9572c4e)
Examples
postgres=# \dx
List of installed extensions
Name | Version | Schema | Description
--------------------+---------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------------
pg_stat_statements | 1.7 | public | track execution statistics of all SQL statements executed
plpgsql | 1.0 | pg_catalog | PL/pgSQL procedural language
(2 rows)
postgres=# \dx+
Objects in extension "pg_stat_statements"
Object description
---------------------------------------------------
function pg_stat_statements(boolean)
function pg_stat_statements_reset(oid,oid,bigint)
view pg_stat_statements
(3 rows)
Objects in extension "plpgsql"
Object description
-------------------------------------------
function plpgsql_call_handler()
function plpgsql_inline_handler(internal)
function plpgsql_validator(oid)
language plpgsql
(4 rows)
References
- PostgreSQL documentation: Packaging Related Objects into an Extension
- PostgreSQL documentation: Extension Building Infrastructure
- PostgreSQL documentation: CREATE EXTENSION
- PostgreSQL documentation: ALTER EXTENSION
- PostgreSQL documentation: DROP EXTENSION