Chapter 4: PostgreSQL – pgAdmin4

PostgreSQL – pgAdmin 4 ☕📊

You’ve already learned:

• What PostgreSQL is (the powerful database engine)
• How to install it
• How to get started with psql (command line)

Now comes pgAdmin 4 — the friendly graphical face of PostgreSQL.

1. What exactly is pgAdmin 4? (Simple honest explanation)

pgAdmin 4 is the most popular free & open-source graphical administration and development tool built specifically for PostgreSQL.

• PostgreSQL = the database server/engine (the “brain” that stores and processes data)
• pgAdmin 4 = the client GUI (like a dashboard or control panel) that lets you manage that server without typing every command.

Think of it like:

• PostgreSQL server → the actual kitchen where food is cooked
• pgAdmin 4 → a nice app on your phone/tablet/laptop where you can see the menu, place orders, check ingredients, and manage the chef — all visually.

It’s not part of the PostgreSQL core — it’s a separate project (maintained by the pgAdmin team, closely tied to the Postgres community). Official website (bookmark this!): https://www.pgadmin.org/

As of right now (Feb 2026): latest version is pgAdmin 4 v9.12 (released Feb 5, 2026) — it supports PostgreSQL 18.2 perfectly.

2. Why do most beginners (and many pros) love pgAdmin 4?

Many people use DBeaver or TablePlus too in 2026, but pgAdmin is still #1 for pure Postgres focus.

3. How does pgAdmin 4 get installed? (2026 reality)

Two common ways:

A. Bundled with PostgreSQL installer (easiest – most Windows users do this)

• During EDB PostgreSQL 18 installer → there is a checkbox: “pgAdmin 4”
• If you checked it → it’s already installed at C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\18\pgAdmin 4
• Search “pgAdmin 4” in Start menu → it opens in your default browser

B. Standalone download (if not bundled or want latest)

• Go to https://www.pgadmin.org/download/
• Choose your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux, or Docker/web)
• Windows → .exe installer (~100–150 MB)
• After install → it launches in browser automatically

Note: pgAdmin 4 is a web application at heart — even the desktop version runs a tiny local web server and opens in Chrome/Edge/Firefox.

4. First launch & connect – step-by-step (like we’re doing it together)

1. Open pgAdmin 4 (from Start menu or Applications) → It opens your browser to something like http://127.0.0.1:5050 → First time: set a master password (this protects pgAdmin itself – choose strong one like HydPg2026!gui)
2. Left sidebar: “Servers” (right-click) → Register → Server…
3. General tab:
   • Name: Local Postgres 18 (or any name you like)
4. Connection tab:
   • Host name/address: localhost or 127.0.0.1
   • Port: 5432 (default)
   • Maintenance database: postgres
   • Username: postgres
   • Password: the one you set during PostgreSQL install
   • Save password? → Yes (for convenience)
5. Click Save → it connects! → You see green arrow on “Local Postgres 18” server
6. Expand it:
   • Databases → postgres, template0, template1 (and any you created like my_first_db)
   • Expand my_first_db → Schemas → public → Tables → (your tables appear here)

5. Real example – do your first actions in pgAdmin (hands-on feel)

Task: Create a new database + table + insert data – all GUI

1. Right-click Databases → Create → Database…
   • Database name: college_db
   • Owner: postgres → Save
2. Expand college_db → Right-click Schemas → public → Tables → Create → Table…
3. In dialog:
   • General: Name = students
   • Columns tab → click + to add:
     • Column name: id | Data type: bigserial | Primary key: check
     • first_name | varchar(50) | Not Null: check
     • last_name | varchar(50) | Not Null
     • email | varchar(100) | Unique: check, Not Null
     • gpa | numeric(3,2) → Save
4. Right-click the new students table → Scripts → INSERT Script → It auto-opens Query Tool with INSERT template → Edit to:

→ Click the Play/Execute button (▶) or F5

5. Right-click table → View/Edit Data → All Rows → See nice grid with your two rows! → You can even edit cells directly and commit.
6. Bonus: Right-click table → Properties → see columns, constraints Right-click database → ERD Tool → auto-draws diagram (if more tables, shows relations)

6. Quick comparison: psql vs pgAdmin 4 (when to use what)

• Use psql when: scripting, automation, SSH server, quick one-liners, teaching pure SQL
• Use pgAdmin 4 when: exploring structure, visual design, debugging queries, managing many servers, beginners learning

Most pros use both — pgAdmin for 80% daily work, psql for scripts/cron.

Summary – your takeaway

PostgreSQL pgAdmin 4 = The #1 visual dashboard for managing PostgreSQL databases → Free, open-source, powerful, beginner-friendly → Official site: pgadmin.org → Current: v9.12 (Feb 2026) → Best first GUI after learning basic psql

Next class?

Tell me:

• Stuck launching pgAdmin or connecting? (paste error)
• Want deep dive into Query Tool features (Explain Analyze, auto-complete, macros)?
• How to import CSV file visually?
• Or switch to DBeaver as alternative?

Your guru is ready — what’s next? 🚀