Understanding Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) in PostgreSQL
Presented by:
Vigneshwaran C
My name is Vigneshwaran C, and I live in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. I work as part of the Postgres open-source team in Fujitsu.
I mainly work on developing features in logical replication. Some of the features developed include tables in schema publication, skip remote replication origin data, replication slot statistics enhancement, etc I write few blogs on the feature that I have worked: https://www.postgresql.fastware.com/blog/author/vigneshwaran-c https://www.enterprisedb.com/postgres-tutorials/postgresql-13-new-feature-drop-database-forcefully
In my freetime I pick few patches from commitfest and review them.
Currently I'm working on DDL replication and reviewing the active logical replication defects
No video of the event yet, sorry!
In this session, we will explore the critical role of Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) in PostgreSQL, a fundamental mechanism that ensures data integrity and durability. We will begin by discussing why WAL is essential for maintaining the consistency of database transactions.
Next, we will delve into the inner workings of WAL, examining how it records changes before they are applied to the main database, ensuring that in the event of a failure, recovery processes can restore the database to a consistent state.
We will also cover the application of WAL in various contexts, including recovery processes, logical replication, and streaming replication. Each use case highlights WAL's versatility and importance in ensuring reliable database operations across different scenarios.
Finally, we will introduce utilities and system functions available for debugging WAL, equipping attendees with the tools needed to diagnose issues and optimize performance.
Join us for an in-depth look at WAL, and gain a comprehensive understanding of its significance in PostgreSQL’s architecture. Whether you are a developer, DBA, or database enthusiast, this session will enhance your knowledge of one of PostgreSQL's most powerful features.
- Date:
- Duration:
- 45 min
- Room:
- Conference:
- PGConf India, 2025
- Language:
- Track:
- Database Engine Developers
- Difficulty:
- Medium