PostgreSQL subtransactions considered harmful
· 27 min read
An opinionated overview of four cases against using PostgreSQL subtransactions
💬 Hacker News discussion
💬 "Why we spent the last month eliminating PostgreSQL subtransactions" (GitLab)
This article discusses what subtransactions are, how to create them, and how widely they are used nowadays. Next, we try to understand why they have a terrible reputation among PostgreSQL experts who operate heavily loaded systems. We overview four problems that may arise in a Postgres database in which subtransactions are used, and load grows. In the end, we discuss the short-term and long-term options for PostgreSQL users willing to solve the ongoing or prevent future problems related to subtransactions.