PostgreSQL Timeline

Presented by

Neon Logo

Explore the history of PostgreSQL, when we didn't have all the features we know and love today

2024

PostgreSQL 17.0

September 26, 2024

Key Features:

  • Introduced JSON_TABLE, converts JSON data into a table representation
2023

PostgreSQL 16.0

September 14, 2023

Key Features:

  • Parallel logical replication from standby servers
2022

PostgreSQL 15.0

October 13, 2022

Key Features:

  • Added SQL MERGE command for conditional inserts, updates, and deletes
2021

PostgreSQL 14.0

September 30, 2021

Key Features:

  • Added JSONB subscripting synthax for fetching JSONB key-value pairs
  • New MULTIRANGE data type for noncontiguous ranges
2020

PostgreSQL 13.0

September 24, 2020

Key Features:

  • Added B-tree index deduplication for disk space and performance improvements
2019

PostgreSQL 12.0

October 3, 2019

Key Features:

  • CTEs auto inlined, boosting query planning performance.
2018

PostgreSQL 11.0

October 18, 2018

Key Features:

  • Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation added for faster expression evaluation.
2017

PostgreSQL 10.0

October 5, 2017

Key Features:

  • Introduced logical replication with publish/subscribe mechanism.
  • Added declarative table partitioning for simpler management.
2016

PostgreSQL 9.6.0

September 29, 2016

Key Features:

  • Parallel query execution for scans, joins, and aggregates.

PostgreSQL 9.5.0

January 7, 2016

Key Features:

  • UPSERT added via INSERT ... ON CONFLICT syntax.
  • Added row-level security control for per-row access policies.
2014

PostgreSQL 9.4.0

December 18, 2014

Key Features:

  • Introduced jsonb for efficient JSON storage and indexing.
  • Added logical decoding for streaming WAL changes.
2013

PostgreSQL 9.3.0

September 9, 2013

Key Features:

  • Added materialized views for physical query result storage.
  • Enhanced JSON support with operators and extraction functions.
2012

PostgreSQL 9.2.0

September 10, 2012

Key Features:

  • Index-only scans retrieve data solely from indexes, avoiding heap.
  • Introduced range types to store interval data efficiently.
2011

PostgreSQL 9.1.0

September 12, 2011

Key Features:

  • Added true serializable isolation level.
  • Introduced CREATE EXTENSION for modular add-ons.
2010

PostgreSQL 9.0.0

September 20, 2010

Key Features:

  • Added built-in streaming replication and hot standby support.
2009

PostgreSQL 8.4.0

July 1, 2009

Key Features:

  • Added window functions for advanced analytics.
  • Introduced CTE with recursive queries for hierarchical processing.
2008

PostgreSQL 8.3.0

February 4, 2008

Key Features:

  • Integrated full text search into core database system.
  • Added UUID data type conforming to RFC4122.
2006

PostgreSQL 8.2.0

December 5, 2006

Key Features:

  • Added RETURNING clause in INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE statements
  • Enabled concurrent index creation without blocking table modifications
2005

PostgreSQL 8.1.0

November 8, 2005

Key Features:

  • Added two-phase commit for prepared multi-node transactions.
  • New role system replaces users and groups for unified management.

PostgreSQL 8.0.0

January 19, 2005

Key Features:

  • Added savepoints for partial transaction rollback.
  • Added point-in-time recovery for continuous backup restoration.
2003

PostgreSQL 7.4.0

November 17, 2003

Key Features:

  • Introduced new client-server protocol with error codes and binary support
  • Optimized GROUP BY processing using in-memory hash buckets for efficiency
2002

PostgreSQL 7.3.0

November 27, 2002

Key Features:

  • Added schemas for namespace object separation

PostgreSQL 7.2.0

February 4, 2002

Key Features:

  • VACUUM no longer locks tables during maintenance operations
  • Optimizer collects histogram statistics for more efficient query planning
2001

PostgreSQL 7.1.0

April 13, 2001

Key Features:

  • Added write-ahead logging for efficient crash recovery.
2000

PostgreSQL 7.0.0

May 8, 2000

Key Features:

  • Introduced foreign key constraints for referential integrity.
  • Overhauled query optimizer for improved planning and performance.
1999

PostgreSQL 6.5.0

June 9, 1999

Key Features:

  • MVCC replaces table locking enabling efficient concurrent transactions
1998

PostgreSQL 6.4.0

October 30, 1998

Key Features:

  • Added PL/pgSQL procedural language for stored procedures.
  • Introduced SERIAL type for auto-increment primary keys.

PostgreSQL 6.3.0

March 1, 1998

Key Features:

  • Introduced full SQL92 subselect capability
1997

PostgreSQL 6.2.0

October 2, 1997

Key Features:

  • Implemented SQL3 triggers via CREATE TRIGGER.
  • Added SQL92 NOT NULL constraint support.

PostgreSQL 6.1.0

June 8, 1997

Key Features:

  • Added genetic optimizer for multi-table join queries.

PostgreSQL 6.0.0

January 29, 1997

Key Features:

  • Name changed from Postgres95 to PostgreSQL
1996

PostgreSQL 1.01

February 23, 1996

Key Features:

  • Added host-based access control via pg_hba configuration file
1995

PostgreSQL 0.03

July 21, 1995

Key Features:

  • Added EXPLAIN command for query execution plan analysis.
  • Replaced CHANGE ACL with standard GRANT/REVOKE syntax.

PostgreSQL 0.02

May 25, 1995

Key Features:

  • Introduced pg_dump utility for reliable cross-platform database backups

PostgreSQL Version Lifespans

1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
PostgreSQL 17
PostgreSQL 16
PostgreSQL 15
PostgreSQL 14
PostgreSQL 13
PostgreSQL 12
PostgreSQL 11
PostgreSQL 10
PostgreSQL 9.6
PostgreSQL 9.5
PostgreSQL 9.4
PostgreSQL 9.3
PostgreSQL 9.2
PostgreSQL 9.1
PostgreSQL 9.0
PostgreSQL 8.4
PostgreSQL 8.3
PostgreSQL 8.2
PostgreSQL 8.1
PostgreSQL 8.0
PostgreSQL 7.4
PostgreSQL 7.3
PostgreSQL 7.2
PostgreSQL 7.1
PostgreSQL 7.0
PostgreSQL 6.5
PostgreSQL 6.4
PostgreSQL 6.3
PostgreSQL 6.2
PostgreSQL 6.1
PostgreSQL 6.0
PostgreSQL 1
Postgres95