DuckDB – An embeddable SQL database like SQLite, but supports Postgres features (duckdb.org)

Article summary

DuckDB is an embeddable SQL database that supports Postgres features and can be deployed anywhere from edge devices to servers. It has a PostgreSQL-inspired query language and offers idiomatic and performant APIs for major programming languages. DuckDB can read and write popular formats such as CSV, JSON, Parquet, and Iceberg, and is MIT-licensed. The database is designed to be simple, fast, and portable.

Main themes

• DuckDB features
• in-memory databases
• testing and optimization
• Postgres compatibility
• foreign key support
• database design and trade-offs

What commenters say

• Some commenters would like to see DuckDB support in-memory databases for testing purposes, similar to SQLite's in-memory mode, but with Postgres compatibility.
• Others argue that using the actual database system being tested, such as Postgres, is preferable to using an in-memory alternative.
• There is a need for a database that supports foreign keys by default, as SQLite's foreign key support is disabled by default and DuckDB currently does not support foreign keys.
• Some commenters suggest using existing solutions such as Docker or template databases to optimize database testing.
• The lack of support for certain Postgres features, such as arrays and row types, is a limitation of DuckDB.
• Some argue that strict typing and foreign key support are essential features that DuckDB should prioritize.
• The use of an in-memory database for testing can be beneficial for performance and convenience, but may not accurately reflect the behavior of the production database.