Possible to perform cross-database queries with postgres?

Question

I'm going to guess that the answer is no based on the below error message (and this Google result), but is there anyway to perform a cross-database query using Postgres?

databaseA=# select * from databaseB.public.someTableName;
ERROR:  cross-database references are not implemented:
 "databaseB.public.someTableName"

I'm working with some data that is partitioned across two databases although data is really shared between the two (userid columns in one database come from the users table in the other database). I have no idea why these are two separate databases instead of schema, but c'est la vie...

Answer 1

I have run into this before an came to the same conclusion about cross database queries as you. What I ended up doing was using schemas to divide the table space that way I could keep the tables grouped but still query them all.

Answer 2

This functionality isn't part of the default PostgreSQL install, but you can add it in. It's called dblink.

I've never used it, but it is maintained and distributed with the rest of PostgreSQL. If you're using the version of PostgreSQL that came with your Linux distro, you might need to install a package called postgresql-contrib.

Answer 3

If performance is important and most queries are read-only, I would suggest to replicate data over to another database. While this seems like unneeded duplication of data, it might help if indexes are required.

This can be done with simple on insert triggers which in turn call dblink to update another copy. There are also full-blown replication options (like Slony) but that's off-topic.

Answer 4

Yes, you can by using DBlink (postgresql only) and DBI-Link (allows foreign cross database queriers) and TDS_LInk which allows queries to be run against MS SQL server.

I have used DB-Link and TDS-link before with great success.

Answer 5

_{Just to add a bit more information.}

There is no way to query a database other than the current one. Because PostgreSQL loads database-specific system catalogs, it is uncertain how a cross-database query should even behave.

contrib/dblink allows cross-database queries using function calls. Of course, a client can also make simultaneous connections to different databases and merge the results on the client side.

PostgreSQL FAQ