PostgreSQL 18, set for release in September, introduces features aimed at enhancing analytics capabilities and distributed architectures, including a new asynchronous I/O subsystem that significantly boosts performance for analytical workloads. The update also upgrades UUIDs to version 7 to improve database index performance in distributed systems, although some anticipated SQL features will be delayed. Despite its growing popularity among developers, PostgreSQL has traditionally been more associated with online transaction processing rather than analytics.

PostgreSQL 18 introduces significant enhancements for developers, including native UUID v7 support, virtual generated columns, and improved RETURNING clause functionality. These features aim to streamline development processes and improve database performance. Additionally, the EXPLAIN command now provides default buffer usage information, enhancing query analysis.