1. Database Cluster, Databases and Tables

This chapter provides an overview of the primary storage entities of PostgreSQL: database clusters, databases, and tables.

A database cluster refers to the entire set of databases managed by a PostgreSQL instance, while a database is a logical collection of tables that are the minimal building blocks of data storage.

All features in PostgreSQL are designed to manage these elements.

Together with the next chapter, this chapter provides the essential background required to understand the more advanced topics in subsequent chapters.