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.