---
page-title: "How to install PostgreSQL on Debian 11"
url: https://linuxhint.com/install-postgresql-debian/
date: "2023-04-19 14:24:01"
---
PostgreSQL (also known as postgres/POSTGRES) is an open-source and advanced level Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). In this post, we have provided the guide to install PostgreSQL on Debian 11: before installation, let’s have a quick look at the features support of PostgreSQL:

## **Notable Features of PostgreSQL**

PostgreSQL supports some distinctive features that allow large scale organizations to adopt it for data processing. Some notable features are listed below:

-   **Programming Language:** Extensive support of programming languages that includes Python, Java, C#, Perl, Go.
-   **Data Types:** It has huge support of pre-defined datasets while users can create their own data type as well.
-   **SQL integration:** Several advanced level features are compatible with PostgreSQL: such as, complex subqueries, table partitioning, nested transactions
-   **Security:** For secure processing of data, PostgreSQL uses authentication protocols like Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and provides row/column security as well.

To install PostgreSQL on Debian 11; you can follow any of the following two methods:

**Method 1:** Install PostgreSQL using repository of Debian 11  
**Method 2:** Install PostgreSQL using official PostgreSQL repository

We will explain the installation process using both methods: the first method uses the packages from Debian repository whereas the second method will fetch the repository packages from PostgreSQL official package:

## **Method 1: How to install PostgreSQL using repository of Debian 11**

The installation method will direct you to install PostgreSQL using a simple and time saving process by using Debian packages:

**Step 1: Update and Upgrade the packages list  
**It is recommended to update and upgrade the list of packages by issuing the commands mentioned below:

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-01.png)

**Step 2: Install PostgreSQL  
**The required package resides in Debian repository so you can install it by using “**apt**”: install PostgreSQL by issuing the command mentioned below:

$ sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-02.png)

Once PostgreSQL is installed, you can check the status of service by using the command given below:

$ sudo systemctl status PostgreSQL

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-03.png)

Moreover, the status of service can be changed by using the following commands:

To stop the running PostgreSQL service:

$ sudo systemctl stop PostgreSQL

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-04.png)

And to start the stopped service:

$ sudo systemctl start PostgreSQL

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-05.png)

## **Method 2: How to install PostgreSQL using official repository of Debian 11**

Follow the simple steps mentioned below to add the official repository of PostgreSQL for Debian 11 and then install it; you can follow the steps mentioned below to do so:

**Step 1: Add PostgreSQL repository  
**It is recommended to add the official repo of PostgreSQL, so that you get the latest version of packages: firstly, you have to add the GPG signing key of PostgreSQL packages to secure the package repository: you can do so by issuing the command mentioned below:

$ curl -fsSL https://www.postgresql.org/media/keys/ACCC4CF8.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/postgresql-keyring.gpg

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-06.png)

Now, you are ready to add PostgreSQL repository: use the command mentioned below to perform the action:

$ echo "deb \[signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/postgresql-keyring.gpg\] http://apt.postgresql.org/pub/repos/apt/ bullseye-pgdg main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/postgresql.list

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-07.png)

**Step 2: Installation of PostgreSQL  
**After successful integration of PostgreSQL library you are ready to install it: but before this, it is recommended to update the system’s repository by using the command mentioned below:

Install PostgreSQL with the help of below-mentioned command:

$ sudo apt install PostgreSQL

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-08.png)

## **How to create database using PostgreSQL in Debian 11**

PostgreSQL can be used as a postgres user only, if you set a password; otherwise you will not be able to log in as a postgres user: Use the following command to set up a password:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-09.png)

To create database in PostgreSQL, you must login to PostgreSQL server and then access its shell; use the following command to log in as a postgres user: it will ask for password; type your password and hit enter:

Now access the shell using postgres user by issuing the following keyword:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-10.png)

Once you have accessed the command shell of Postgres, you can now use SQL queries to perform several database related operations:

For instance, we want to create a database “**linuxhint**”; for that, we will use the following SQL query to do so:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-11.png)

To access the database log in as postgres user and use the following command to access database “**linuxhint**”:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-12.png)

**Note:** You can fall back to the postgres user by using “**\\q**”:

You can now add, delete, select data from the database by accessing the database on terminal. Moreover, to drop a database you have to come out of database by using “**\\q**” and then use the following command:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-13.png)

And if you try to access database “**linuxhint**”; the shell will display an error that “**linuxhint**” does not exists:

![](https://linuxhint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/install-postgresql-debian-14.png)

## **Conclusion**

PostgreSQL is a widely used Relational Database Management System used by several large companies ranging from large to medium size strength. Although it is a relational database it supports JSON for non-relational querying that makes PostgreSQL a favorite choice of organizations. This post provides the installation guide of PostgreSQL for Debian11, two methods are described here. Method 1 enables you to install PostgreSQL from Debian own’s packages repository, on the other hand you can follow Method 2 to get the updated PostgreSQL from its official repository.