How To Install PostgreSQL 17 on AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9

Michail

Introduction

PostgreSQL is a relational database management system that is designed to store and organize access to interrelated elements of information.

In this guide we will install PostgreSQL 17 version on AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9.

1. Update Your System

Before installing PostgreSQL 17, update your system to ensure all packages are current:

dnf update -y

2. Check Available PostgreSQL Modules

List the available PostgreSQL modules to verify the default version:

dnf module list postgresql

3. Add the PostgreSQL Repository

AlmaLinux does not include the latest PostgreSQL versions by default. Add the official PostgreSQL repository:

dnf install -y https://download.postgresql.org/pub/repos/yum/reporpms/EL-9-x86_64/pgdg-redhat-repo-latest.noarch.rpm

4. Disable the Default PostgreSQL Module

To prevent conflicts with older versions, disable the default PostgreSQL module:

dnf -qy module disable postgresql

5. Install PostgreSQL 17

Now install PostgreSQL 17 using:

dnf install -y postgresql17-server

6. Initialize the Database Cluster

Run the following command to initialize the database:

/usr/pgsql-17/bin/postgresql-17-setup initdb

7. Start and Enable PostgreSQL Service

Ensure PostgreSQL starts on boot and is currently running:

systemctl enable postgresql-17
systemctl start postgresql-17

Check the status to confirm it's running:

systemctl status postgresql-17

8. Set a Password for the PostgreSQL User

By default, PostgreSQL creates a postgres superuser. Set a secure password:

sudo -u postgres psql -c "ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'MyPassword';"

Replace 'MyPassword' with a strong password.

Using PostgreSQL 17

Accessing PostgreSQL

To access the PostgreSQL command-line interface (psql):

sudo -u postgres psql

psql

Creating a New Database

To create a new database run this command:

CREATE DATABASE newdatabase;

Replace "newdatabase" with your desired database name.

Creating a New User

To create a new PostgreSQL user:

CREATE USER myuser WITH ENCRYPTED PASSWORD 'mypassword';

Replace myuser and mypassword with your credentials.

Granting Privileges

To grant full access to a user on a database:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE newdatabase TO myuser;

Connecting to a Database

To connect to a specific database:

psql -U myuser -d newdatabase

Listing Databases and Users

To list all databases:

\l

To list all users:

\du

Exiting PostgreSQL

To exit the PostgreSQL shell:

\q