Install PostgreSQL
2. The next step is to install the PostgreSQL database server software. Visit this website: https://www.postgresql.org/download/ and select the installer under 'Binary Packages' that is most appropriate for your operating system. Interactive installers are available for most operating systems and are very convenient. This guide was created following the steps of the 'Interactive installer by EnterpriseDB,' which is currently the first choice on the installation webpage. The steps below will most closely follow that installer. The following screencast shows the EnterpriseDB installer download process. You should install the latest available version (ie the highest version number) of PostgreSQL. Use the 64-bit version of the software, for example Windows x86-64 (note: some old computers may not support this). This tutorial was written using the 10.5 version of PostgreSQL, but you should use the latest version. Note, however, that in newer versions some install options may change slightly.
3. You can usually take the default options as you do the installation of PostgreSQL (see the next screencast). The one specific option you will need to make a choice about is setting a password for the postgres user account. This account provides access to your database. Initially, you should probably just use the password 'postgres', ie the same as the username, to facilitate remembering.
4. At the end of the installation of PostgreSQL, you will be presented with an option to launch the Stack Builder on exit. You should make sure the box is checked and then hit finish because you do want to launch the Stack Builder. You use this to install additional pieces of software. If, for some reason, you have already installed PostgreSQL and you just want to get back to the Stack Builder, you can search for this program on your computer and run it directly.
5. When Stack Builder opens, you will first need to select your 'installation', ie the database server you just installed. Usually you will only have one PostgreSQL server listed in the dropdown box, so select that one. Within the Stack Builder screen, expand the Database Drivers, and check the boxes for the latest versions of both pgJDBC and psqlODBC (64 bit). These drivers are small pieces of software that bridge the client-server connection mentioned above, allowing Base to connect to PostgreSQL on your computer. Once these two are selected, hit next, the download directory is not important. After hitting next again, make sure not to skip the installation. The installers for both drivers will download and you will then run each installation in turn. You begin installation by clicking next in Stack Builder. The following screencast shows the process until this point:
6. During the installation of pgJDBC, pay close attention to the installation directory. Copy this information as you will need this at a later stage. Note that you may change this directory now, if you want. JDBC stands for Java Database Connectivity.
7. There may be a delay between the installations, so please be patient. You should not change and you do not need to remember the install directory for the psqlODBC driver. ODBC stands for Open Database Connectivity. We will not make use of the ODBC driver in this online guide, but it can be useful for connecting other types of clients to your PostgreSQL database. After installing both drivers, you will 'Finish' out of Stack Builder and your PostgreSQL install is now complete.
8. You can now run the built-in administrative client software for PostgreSQL, called Pgadmin. You may need to search for the software on your computer in order to open it. Once opened, you will see a Browser sub-window with a 'Servers' icon below, if you expand this, you should then see your local server, called PostgreSQL X.X (whatever version you are running). If you attempt to expand this, you will be prompted to login to the server with the 'postgres' user. Enter the password you set previously for this user. Once you have connected, you can expand this PostgreSQL X.X server, then the Databases icon, then the 'postgres' database, and then the Schemas icon, and the 'public' schema. If you right mouse click on the Tables icon, you can select to create a new table. Try this by creating a table named 'test'.
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- Software Peter Cobb
