pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql
Node.js Database Libraries Comparison
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pgsequelizepg-promisepostgresqlSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Database Libraries?

Node.js database libraries are essential tools that facilitate interaction between Node.js applications and various database systems. They provide a range of functionalities, from executing SQL queries to managing connections and handling transactions. These libraries vary in terms of abstraction levels, features, and ease of use, catering to different application requirements and developer preferences. Choosing the right library can significantly impact the performance, maintainability, and scalability of your application.

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pg7,631,27012,48879.5 kB4886 days agoMIT
sequelize2,222,05929,7822.91 MB9584 months agoMIT
pg-promise446,6913,492426 kB33 months agoMIT
postgresql4,436-----
Feature Comparison: pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql

Abstraction Level

  • pg:

    pg provides a low-level interface to interact directly with PostgreSQL, allowing developers to execute raw SQL queries and manage connections without any additional abstraction. This gives developers complete control over their database interactions, making it suitable for performance-critical applications.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize is a full-fledged ORM that abstracts database interactions into models and associations, allowing developers to work with JavaScript objects instead of raw SQL. This makes it easier to manage complex relationships and perform CRUD operations without writing extensive SQL code.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise offers a higher level of abstraction compared to pg, providing features like query formatting, automatic connection management, and built-in support for promises. This makes it easier to write and manage asynchronous code while still allowing the use of raw SQL when needed.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL itself does not provide an abstraction layer for Node.js, but libraries like pg and pg-promise serve this purpose by allowing developers to interact with the database using JavaScript.

Promise Support

  • pg:

    pg supports promises through the use of native JavaScript promises or libraries like Bluebird, but it does not enforce promise-based syntax. Developers can choose to use callbacks or promises based on their preference.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize supports promises natively, allowing developers to use async/await syntax for cleaner and more readable code. This makes it easier to manage asynchronous operations and handle errors effectively.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise is built around promises, providing a seamless way to handle asynchronous database operations. It simplifies error handling and chaining of queries, making it a great choice for modern JavaScript applications that rely heavily on async/await syntax.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL does not directly relate to promise support in Node.js, as it is the database itself. However, libraries like pg and pg-promise provide promise support for interacting with PostgreSQL.

Transaction Management

  • pg:

    pg allows manual transaction management through SQL commands, providing flexibility but requiring developers to handle the logic for committing or rolling back transactions themselves.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize provides a high-level API for managing transactions, allowing developers to create and manage transactions easily. It abstracts the complexity of transaction management and provides a clear interface for committing or rolling back changes.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise offers built-in support for transactions, allowing developers to easily manage complex transaction flows with a clear and concise API. It simplifies the process of committing or rolling back transactions, making it less error-prone.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL supports transactions natively, but the management of transactions is handled by the Node.js libraries that interface with it, such as pg or pg-promise.

Learning Curve

  • pg:

    pg has a relatively low learning curve for developers familiar with SQL, as it requires understanding raw SQL queries and connection management. However, it may be less intuitive for those new to database interactions.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a steeper learning curve due to its ORM nature and the need to understand models, associations, and migrations. However, it can significantly speed up development once mastered, especially for applications with complex data relationships.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise has a moderate learning curve, as it introduces additional features and abstractions. Developers need to familiarize themselves with its API and promise-based syntax, but it is still accessible for those with a basic understanding of JavaScript.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL itself has a learning curve related to its features and SQL syntax, but this is independent of the Node.js libraries. Developers should be comfortable with SQL to effectively use any Node.js library that interfaces with PostgreSQL.

Community and Ecosystem

  • pg:

    pg has a strong community and is widely used in production applications, ensuring good support and a wealth of resources available for troubleshooting and best practices.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a vibrant community and a wide range of plugins and extensions available, making it easy to integrate with other libraries and frameworks. Its popularity ensures that developers can find ample resources and support.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise also has a dedicated community and is well-documented, making it easier for developers to find help and examples for common use cases.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL has a large and active community, with extensive documentation and resources available for developers. It is a mature database system with a rich ecosystem of tools and extensions.

How to Choose: pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql
  • pg:

    Choose pg if you need a lightweight and straightforward library for connecting to PostgreSQL databases with minimal abstraction. It is ideal for developers who prefer writing raw SQL queries and require fine-grained control over database interactions.

  • sequelize:

    Opt for Sequelize if you prefer an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library that abstracts database interactions into JavaScript objects. It is beneficial for developers who want to work with models and relationships rather than raw SQL, making it easier to manage complex data structures.

  • pg-promise:

    Select pg-promise if you want a powerful promise-based library that offers more advanced features like query formatting, transaction management, and connection pooling. It is suitable for applications that require a more structured approach to database interactions while still allowing the use of raw SQL.

  • postgresql:

    PostgreSQL is not a Node.js library but rather the database itself. However, if you are looking for a package that provides a native interface to PostgreSQL, you may consider using libraries like pg or pg-promise, which are designed to work with PostgreSQL databases.

README for pg

node-postgres

Build Status NPM version NPM downloads

Non-blocking PostgreSQL client for Node.js. Pure JavaScript and optional native libpq bindings.

Install

$ npm install pg

:star: Documentation :star:

Features

  • Pure JavaScript client and native libpq bindings share the same API
  • Connection pooling
  • Extensible JS ↔ PostgreSQL data-type coercion
  • Supported PostgreSQL features
    • Parameterized queries
    • Named statements with query plan caching
    • Async notifications with LISTEN/NOTIFY
    • Bulk import & export with COPY TO/COPY FROM

Extras

node-postgres is by design pretty light on abstractions. These are some handy modules we've been using over the years to complete the picture. The entire list can be found on our wiki.

Support

node-postgres is free software. If you encounter a bug with the library please open an issue on the GitHub repo. If you have questions unanswered by the documentation please open an issue pointing out how the documentation was unclear & I will do my best to make it better!

When you open an issue please provide:

  • version of Node
  • version of Postgres
  • smallest possible snippet of code to reproduce the problem

You can also follow me @briancarlson if that's your thing. I try to always announce noteworthy changes & developments with node-postgres on Twitter.

Sponsorship :two_hearts:

node-postgres's continued development has been made possible in part by generous finanical support from the community.

If you or your company are benefiting from node-postgres and would like to help keep the project financially sustainable please consider supporting its development.

Contributing

:heart: contributions!

I will happily accept your pull request if it:

  • has tests
  • looks reasonable
  • does not break backwards compatibility

If your change involves breaking backwards compatibility please please point that out in the pull request & we can discuss & plan when and how to release it and what type of documentation or communicate it will require.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

The causes and solutions to common errors can be found among the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

License

Copyright (c) 2010-2020 Brian Carlson (brian.m.carlson@gmail.com)

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.