PostgreSQL · January 2, 2024

PostgreSQL Command: CREATE LANGUAGE

PostgreSQL Command: CREATE LANGUAGE

PostgreSQL is a powerful open-source relational database management system that offers a wide range of features and functionalities. One of the key features of PostgreSQL is its ability to support multiple programming languages. With the CREATE LANGUAGE command, users can add new programming languages to their PostgreSQL database, allowing them to write stored procedures, functions, and triggers in languages other than the default PL/pgSQL.

Why Use CREATE LANGUAGE?

The CREATE LANGUAGE command in PostgreSQL provides flexibility and extensibility to developers and database administrators. By adding new programming languages, users can leverage their existing knowledge and skills in different languages to write database functions and procedures. This allows for greater code reusability and the ability to work with languages that are better suited for specific tasks.

For example, if a developer is more comfortable with Python, they can use the CREATE LANGUAGE command to add the PL/Python language to their PostgreSQL database. This enables them to write stored procedures and functions in Python, taking advantage of its rich libraries and ecosystem.

How to Use CREATE LANGUAGE

The syntax for the CREATE LANGUAGE command is straightforward:

CREATE LANGUAGE language_name;

Here, language_name refers to the name of the programming language you want to add to your PostgreSQL database. PostgreSQL supports various languages, including PL/pgSQL, PL/Python, PL/Perl, PL/Tcl, and more.

Let’s say we want to add the PL/Python language to our database. We can execute the following command:

CREATE LANGUAGE plpythonu;

This command adds the PL/Python language to the database, allowing us to write stored procedures and functions in Python.

Example: Using PL/Python

Once we have added the PL/Python language to our PostgreSQL database, we can start writing functions and procedures in Python. Here’s an example:

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION calculate_average(a integer, b integer)
  RETURNS float AS
$$
  return (a + b) / 2.0
$$
LANGUAGE plpythonu;

In this example, we create a function called calculate_average that takes two integers as input and returns their average as a float. The function is written in Python, thanks to the PL/Python language we added earlier.

Summary

The CREATE LANGUAGE command in PostgreSQL allows users to add new programming languages to their database, providing flexibility and extensibility. By adding languages like PL/Python, developers can write stored procedures and functions in languages they are more comfortable with, enhancing code reusability and leveraging the strengths of different programming languages.

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