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Software Engineering Concept

PostgreSQL text

Depends on JourneySoftware engineering Statuslearning Tags
  • database
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A PostgreSQL column type that stores character data with UTF-8 encoding validation.

Properties ​

  • Standard SQL interface (INSERT, UPDATE, SELECT).

  • Same TOAST limits as bytea (1 GB per entry, 4 billion entries per table).

  • The DB validates encoding on insert.

  • No encoding overhead when storing actual text content.

  • ~30% storage overhead when used to store binary data (must Base64 encode).

  • Gives you string operations for free: LIKE, regex, full-text search.

When to Use ​

  • Storing actual text content (source code, config files, documents).

  • You need string operations on the stored content.

  • Not for binary data (use bytea instead).