Vol. I · A Postgres HandbookTwelve chapters · · 756 queries

The Query & the Schema

A reading-room reference for writing PostgreSQL by hand — selects to window functions, with the schema in plain view.

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Chapters · Basic SELECT · Query 047 / 136
IntermediateBasic SELECT

Empty a table quickly

The query

SQL
TRUNCATE TABLE user_sessions RESTART IDENTITY CASCADE;
Tested against PostgreSQL 16

Note

“TRUNCATE is much faster than DELETE (it does not scan rows). RESTART IDENTITY resets SERIAL sequences. CASCADE truncates referencing tables.

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Drop table safely

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Add a NOT NULL constraint

The Query & the Schema

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Compiled for Postgres 16 · MMXXVI