Question 1

How to partition an existing PostgreSQL table without downtime?

Accepted Answer

Use pgslice's prep, fill, and swap commands in sequence. First, create an intermediate table with prep, then batch-fill data with fill, and finally swap tables with swap to minimize disruption, as detailed in the steps section.

Question 2

pgslice vs native PostgreSQL partitioning: which is easier?

Accepted Answer

pgslice simplifies the process with a CLI that automates SQL commands for zero-downtime migrations, whereas native partitioning requires manual SQL expertise and more careful planning for existing tables. However, native partitioning offers more flexibility in partitioning types.

Question 3

How to archive old partitions with pgslice?

Accepted Answer

After partitioning, use tools like pg_dump to backup older partitions (e.g., by date) and then drop them via psql commands, as shown in the archiving section. This helps manage database size on a rolling basis.

Question 4

Does pgslice work with Rails applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but for Rails models, you need to specify the primary key explicitly (e.g., self.primary_key = 'id') to ensure it's returned correctly, as mentioned in the frameworks section. Other frameworks may require similar adjustments.

Question 5

How to set up automatic partition creation with pgslice?

Accepted Answer

Add a cron job that runs pgslice add_partitions with --future options (e.g., for daily partitions, schedule it to run at midnight) to create new partitions ahead of time, as illustrated in the adding partitions section.

Question 6

What if my table has triggers that need to be preserved?

Accepted Answer

pgslice does not copy triggers automatically; you must manually set up triggers on the intermediate table after using prep, which adds extra steps and potential for oversight during migration.

pgslice

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