PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL
PL/pgSQL is a procedural programming language for PostgreSQL, designed to write server-side functions, triggers, and stored procedures. It extends SQL with control structures, variables, and error handling, allowing developers to create complex logic directly within the database. This enables data manipulation, validation, and business rule enforcement at the database level for improved performance and consistency.
Developers should learn PL/pgSQL when building applications with PostgreSQL that require complex data processing, such as financial calculations, data transformations, or enforcing business logic in triggers. It's ideal for scenarios where moving logic to the database reduces network overhead, enhances security by minimizing client-side code, and ensures data integrity through stored procedures and triggers, commonly used in enterprise systems, data warehouses, and high-performance applications.