Chapter 13. Client-Side Programming

PostgreSQL provides a number of interfaces that enable client applications to access the database back end. In addition to the APIs provided by PostgreSQL, a number of other languages have provided their own interfaces to PostgreSQL.

The choice of client language depends on many factors. C and C++ excel at fine-grained control and raw speed, Python and Perl are ideal for rapid prototyping and flexibility, PHP is great as a web-based solution, and ODBC and JDBC provide access from Windows or Java clients. Interfaces for each of these languages are addressed in the following sections.