By: Bill Terranova
Edited by: Qëndrim Demiraj
Technical Team Lead, QUAD A Development
PostgreSQL 18, released on September 25, represents a substantial leap forward in database architecture. Among the new features and significant changes, the new asynchronous I/O (AIO) subsystem is particularly notable. Unlike traditional synchronous I/O, PostgreSQL can now issue multiple read requests concurrently, rather than waiting for each one to complete. This makes sequential scans, bitmap head scans, and even VACUUM operations more efficient, especially in read-heavy workloads. On systems that support Linux’s io_uring, the gains can be even more pronounced. A new system view, pg_aios, enables you to monitor these asynchronous file handles and gain a better understanding of how I/O is being batched.
Another significant change is the introduction of internal support for UUIDv7, a timestamp-ordered UUID format function. This means that new IDs are globally unique and sorted primarily by creation time, thereby enhancing indexing and insert performance in large-scale distributed systems. UUIDv7 helps reduce page splits and makes B-tree indexes more efficient.
For schema/DDL, PostgreSQL 18’s virtual generated columns are now the default for generated columns. Unlike stored-generated columns, which are physically stored computed values, the new generated columns are computed on read rather than stored, thereby reducing storage overhead and costs. Virtual-generated columns also include “skip-scan” support for multi-column B-tree indexes, enhanced major version upgrades to preserve optimizer statistics, authentication support for OAuth 2.0, temporal constraints, and other monitoring improvements. This is especially useful with low-cardinality leading columns and dynamic queries that change filters.
Temporal data integrity also gets a boost. The release introduces temporal constraints, such as WITHOUT OVERLAPS for primary keys or unique constraints over ranges, and PERIOD clauses for foreign keys. These help enforce time-based business rules directly in the database without resorting to complex application logic. Security and identity also move forward. OAuth 2.0 authentication is now supported for enabling PostgreSQL integration with modern identity providers such as Okta or Keycloak. At the same time, MD5 password authentication is being deprecated in favor of stronger SCRAM-based methods, thereby improving the security posture.
In operations and maintenance, PostgreSQL 18 makes major version upgrades smoother. Optimizer statistics are now preserved, so after an upgrade, the system remembers how data is distributed, helping performance stabilize faster. It also supports parallel upgrade checks and a mechanism that swaps directories, reducing downtime during large migrations. From a monitoring perspective, EXPLAIN output is richer. The ANALYZE mode now includes buffer usage by default, and verbose plans expose CPU, WAL, and I/O stats. Additionally, new views provide per-backend I/O and WAL usage, enabling you to understand how each connection behaves.
In addition to these, PostgreSQL 18 defaults to data checksums in new clusters, enhancing data integrity by validating page checks during writes. There are also schema management enhancements: you can now add NOT NULL constraints, so you avoid scanning large tables immediately and validate the constraint later when it’s more convenient. Finally, PostgreSQL 18 introduces a new wire protocol version (3.2), marking the first update in decades and laying the foundation for future client improvements.
PostgreSQL 18 introduces architectural enhancements, developer-friendly features, and operational improvements that have real-world impact. Whether your priorities are speed, scalability, security, or maintainability, version 18 unlocks capabilities that can save time, reduce cost, and power growth.
As a software development company committed to building robust, scalable, and future-proof systems, QUAD A Development continually evaluates how cutting-edge tools and up-to-date technology behind code can deliver tangible business value. The release of PostgreSQL 18 marks one of those moments where a major open-source upgrade unlocks improvements that matter not just in benchmarks, but in how your applications perform, scale, and evolve.
PostgreSQL 18 introduces a wide range of improvements across performance, schema design, security, and operational clarity. The release provides stable tools for data-driven applications and creates new directions for modern system design. Partnering with QUAD A Development can apply these features in a way that aligns with your project goals and business needs. If your next system requires a dependable and capable data platform, PostgreSQL 18 offers an option that supports both present requirements and future growth.
When your project involves significant data storage, queries, or growth over time, or if you anticipate scaling, integration, or compliance needs, partnering with QUAD A Development gives you a team that treats your database stack as a strategic asset. We ensure you benefit from the performance, reliability, and security improvements of PostgreSQL 18 while aligning with your business goals.
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