Step 7 – Choose the Type of Installation
Red Hat Database provides three different classes, or types, of installations:
Server Class Installation
A Server Class installation contains those packages you need to get a Red Hat Database server up and running. Choose a Server Class installation if you want to install a Red Hat Database server, but you do not want to choose particular installation packages.
Developer Class Installation
A Developer Class installation consists of all the tools you need to start developing programs using PostgreSQL. Choose a Developer Class installation if you want to install the most commonly used development components, but you do not want to select specific development components.
You will also need to install the language-development tools for any language (such as C, Perl, and so on) that you will be using with the Red Hat Database.
Customized Installation
A Customized installation allows you the greatest flexibility during your installation. You choose exactly what components of Red Hat Database you wish to install. Customized installations are most appropriate if you have used PostgreSQL in the past or if you want to combine elements of a Server Class installation with those of a Development Class installation.
If you want to install all of the Red Hat Database packages, use a Customized installation.
The Customized installation is also useful if you would like to review the descriptions of all of the Red Hat Database packages.
This table provides an overview of the Red Hat Database packages. Descriptions of the packages follow the table.
Table 1-1. Red Hat Database Packages
| Category | Package Name | File Name | Dependencies | Server | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Main | rh-postgresql | Libraries | X | X |
| Core | Libraries | rh-postgresql-libs | none | X | X |
| Core | Server | rh-postgresql-server | Libraries, Development | X | |
| Core | Development | rh-postgresql-devel | Main, Libraries | X | X |
| Extensions | JDBC | rh-postgresql-jdbc | none | X | |
| Extensions | ODBC | rh-postgresql-odbc | none | X | |
| Extensions | Perl | rh-postgresql-perl | Libraries | X | |
| Extensions | Python | rh-postgresql-python | Libraries | X | |
| Extensions | Tcl | rh-postgresql-tcl | Libraries | X | |
| Extensions | Tk | rh-postgresql-tk | Libraries, Tcl | X | |
| Other | Contributions | rh-postgresql-contrib | Main, Libraries | ||
| Other | Documentation | rh-postgresql-docs | none | ||
| Other | Red Hat Database Documentation | rh-postgresql-rhdocs | none | ||
| Other | Regression Tests | rh-postgresql-test | Main, Libraries, Server, Development | ||
| Other | Source Code | rh-postgresql (not the same as #1 though) | none | ||
| Other | mx | mx | none | X |
- rh-postgresql
This package includes the client programs and libraries that you will need to access a PostgreSQL server. These client programs can be located on the same machine as the PostgreSQL server, or they may be on a remote machine which accesses the PostgreSQL server over a network connection. This package also contains the documentation in HTML format for the whole package, as well as command-line utilities for managing databases on PostgreSQL servers.
If you want to manipulate a PostgreSQL database on a remote PostgreSQL server, you need this package. You also need to install this package if you are installing the rh-postgresql-server package.
- rh-postgresql-libs
This package provides the essential shared libraries for any PostgreSQL client program or interface. You will need to install this package in order to use any other PostgreSQL package or any clients that need to connect to a PostgreSQL server.
- rh-postgresql-server
This package includes the programs needed to create and run a PostgreSQL server, which in turn will allow you to create and maintain databases. You should install this package if you want to create and maintain your own databases and/or your own PostgreSQL server. You also need to install the main PostgreSQL package.
- rh-postgresql-devel
The development package contains the header files and libraries needed to compile C or C++ applications which will directly interact with a PostgreSQL server. The ecpg Embedded C Postgres preprocessor is also included. You need to install this package if you want to develop applications which will interact with a PostgreSQL server. If you are installing the server package, you need to install this package.
- rh-postgresql-jdbc
The JDBC package includes the .jar file needed for Java programs to access a PostgreSQL system.
- rh-postgresql-odbc
The ODBC package includes the ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity) driver and sample configuration files needed for applications to access a PostgreSQL system using ODBC.
- rh-postgresql-perl
The Perl package includes a module for developers to use when writing Perl code for accessing a PostgreSQL system.
- rh-postgresql-python
The Python package includes a module for developers to use when writing Python code for accessing a PostgreSQL system.
- rh-postgresql-tcl
The Tcl package contains the libpgtcl client library, the pg-enhanced pgtclsh, and the PL/Tcl procedural language for the PostgreSQL system.
- rh-postgresql-tk
The Tk package contains the pgaccess program. Pgaccess is a graphical frontend for PostgreSQL and is written in Tcl/Tk.
- rh-postgresql-contrib
This package includes the contrib tree distributed with the PostgreSQL tarball. Selected contrib modules are prebuilt.
- rh-postgresql-docs
This package includes the SGML source for the PostgreSQL Global Development Group's documentation as well as their documentation in other formats and some extra documentation. The printed documentation included with the Red Hat Database packaged product covers everything included in this alternative documentation. However, the printed documentation features added content and enhanced readability. Install this package if you want to help with the PostgreSQL documentation project, or if you want to review the PostgreSQL Global Development Group's documentation.
- rh-postgresql-rhdocs
This package contains electronic versions of the manuals included in the Red Hat Database packaged product.
- rh-postgresql-test
The test package includes the sources and pre-built binaries of various tests for the PostgreSQL, including regression tests and benchmarks.
- rh-postgresql
The source code for the PostgreSQL system.
- mx
mx extensions for Python. This package is required by the rh-posgresql-python package.