Rails with PostgreSQL

Ruby on Rails uses sqlite3 as default database. But sometimes you need to use other database such as PostgreSQL.

Install PostgreSQL

On Linux

First, update apt-get:

sudo apt-get update

Then install PostgreSQL and its development libraries:

sudo apt-get install postgresql postgresql-contrib libpq-dev

PostgreSQL is now installed but you should create a new database user, that your Rails application will use.

Create Database User

Create a PostgreSQL superuser user with this command

sudo -u postgres createuser -s pguser

If you want to set a password for the database user, enter the PostgreSQL console with this command:

sudo -u postgres psql

The PostgreSQL console is indicated by the postgres=# prompt. At the PostgreSQL prompt, enter this command to set the password for the database user that you created:

postgres=# \password pguser

Enter your desired password at the prompt, and confirm it.

Now you may exit the PostgreSQL console by entering this command:

postgres=# \q

Configure Database Connection

vi config/database.yml

Under the default section, find the line that says “pool: 5” and add the following lines under it.

host: localhost
username: pguser
password: pguser_password

Save and exit.

Create Application Databases

rake db:create

Run Server

rails server