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CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database that supports the PostgreSQL wire protocol and the majority of PostgreSQL syntax. You can use existing PostgreSQL-compatible drivers and ORMs to connect to CockroachDB without changing your application code.

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PostgreSQL Compatibility

CockroachDB is compatible with version 3.0 of the PostgreSQL wire protocol (pgwire) and works with the majority of PostgreSQL database tools. This means that existing applications built on PostgreSQL can often be migrated to CockroachDB without changing application code.

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What’s Supported

CockroachDB supports:
  • PostgreSQL wire protocol: Connect using any PostgreSQL-compatible driver or tool
  • Standard SQL syntax: Most PostgreSQL SQL statements work in CockroachDB
  • PostgreSQL data types: All common data types including JSONB, arrays, and UUIDs
  • Transactions: Full ACID compliance with serializable isolation by default
  • PostgreSQL functions: Most built-in PostgreSQL functions and operators

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Key Differences from PostgreSQL

While CockroachDB is highly compatible with PostgreSQL, some differences exist due to its distributed architecture:
In PostgreSQL, division of integers results in an integer. In CockroachDB, integer division results in a DECIMAL.
-- PostgreSQL returns 1
-- CockroachDB returns 1.5
SELECT 1 + 1 / 2;
Use the // operator for floor division:
SELECT 1 + 1 // 2;  -- Returns 1

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SQL Shell Help

In the cockroach sql shell, you can get inline help about SQL statements and functions: 
\h [statement]

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Transaction Model

CockroachDB supports bundling multiple SQL statements into a single all-or-nothing transaction. Each transaction guarantees ACID semantics spanning arbitrary tables and rows, even when data is distributed.

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Key Features

  • ACID Compliance: All transactions are atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable
  • Serializable Isolation: By default, transactions use SERIALIZABLE isolation
  • Read Committed: Optional READ COMMITTED isolation level available
  • Distributed Transactions: Transactions work seamlessly across multiple nodes
Transaction
BEGIN;

SAVEPOINT cockroach_restart;

UPDATE products SET inventory = 0 WHERE sku = '8675309';

INSERT INTO orders (customer, sku, status) VALUES (1001, '8675309', 'new');

RELEASE SAVEPOINT cockroach_restart;

COMMIT;

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Statement Categories

CockroachDB organizes SQL statements into several categories:

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Data Definition (DDL)

Create, modify, and drop database objects:
  • CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, DROP TABLE
  • CREATE INDEX, ALTER INDEX, DROP INDEX
  • CREATE DATABASE, ALTER DATABASE, DROP DATABASE
  • CREATE VIEW, ALTER VIEW, DROP VIEW

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Data Manipulation (DML)

Query and modify data:
  • SELECT - Query data from tables
  • INSERT - Insert new rows
  • UPDATE - Modify existing rows
  • DELETE - Remove rows
  • UPSERT - Insert or update rows

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Data Control (DCL)

Manage access and permissions:
  • GRANT, REVOKE - Manage privileges
  • CREATE USER, DROP USER - Manage users
  • CREATE ROLE, DROP ROLE - Manage roles

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Transaction Control

Manage transactions:
  • BEGIN - Start a transaction
  • COMMIT - Commit a transaction
  • ROLLBACK - Abort a transaction
  • SAVEPOINT - Create nested transactions

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See Also

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