Configuring Publications
Learn to define publications on a master server to specify which tables and operations to replicate.
Configuring Publications is a free Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
What are Publications?
Welcome! In PostgreSQL logical replication, a publication is like a channel on the master server that broadcasts data changes.
It defines what data (which tables) and which operations (INSERTs, UPDATEs, DELETEs, TRUNCATEs) should be replicated to subscribing servers.
Think of it as setting up a TV station: you decide which shows to broadcast and when.
Basic Publication Setup
Creating a publication is straightforward using the CREATE PUBLICATION command. Let's start with the simplest form.
This creates a publication that doesn't publish any tables yet, but it's ready to be configured.
CREATE PUBLICATION my_first_pub;Publishing All Tables
If you want to replicate all tables in your current database (and any new ones created later), you can use the FOR ALL TABLES clause.
This is handy for replicating an entire database schema.
CREATE PUBLICATION all_db_changes FOR ALL TABLES;Publishing Specific Tables
Often, you only need to replicate a subset of tables. You can specify these tables directly using the FOR TABLE clause.
This publication will only broadcast changes from the users and products tables.
CREATE PUBLICATION sales_data_pub FOR TABLE users, products;Dynamic vs. Static
There's a key difference between FOR ALL TABLES and listing tables with FOR TABLE:
FOR ALL TABLES: Dynamically includes all current and future tables in the database.FOR TABLE table1, table2: Statically lists specific tables. New tables must be added manually.
Choose based on your replication needs!
Replicating Specific Operations
Publications can be configured to replicate only certain types of data modifications. By default, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and TRUNCATE are replicated.
You can use the WITH (publish = '...') clause to select specific operations. Here, we only replicate INSERT statements.
CREATE PUBLICATION new_orders_only FOR TABLE orders WITH (publish = 'insert');Combining Operations
To replicate multiple, but not all, operation types, you can list them separated by commas within the publish option.
This publication will replicate INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations, but not TRUNCATE.
CREATE PUBLICATION user_activity FOR TABLE user_logs WITH (publish = 'insert, update, delete');Listing Publications
Want to see what publications are active on your server? PostgreSQL stores this information in its system catalogs.
You can query the pg_publication view to get details about each publication, including what operations it publishes.
SELECT pubname, puballtables, pubinsert, pubupdate, pubdelete, pubtruncate FROM pg_publication;Managing Publications
You can modify an existing publication to add or remove tables, or even drop it entirely if it's no longer needed.
ALTER PUBLICATION ADD TABLE: Add tables.ALTER PUBLICATION DROP TABLE: Remove tables.DROP PUBLICATION: Delete a publication.
ALTER PUBLICATION sales_data_pub ADD TABLE accounts;
ALTER PUBLICATION sales_data_pub DROP TABLE products;
DROP PUBLICATION sales_data_pub;Publication Configuration Quiz
Which of the following statements correctly configure a publication in PostgreSQL?
Recap: Configuring Publications
Great job! You've learned how to define publications in PostgreSQL.
- Publications broadcast data changes for logical replication.
- Use
CREATE PUBLICATIONto define them. - You can publish
FOR ALL TABLESorFOR TABLE specific_tables. - The
WITH (publish = '...')clause lets you select specific operations (insert, update, delete, truncate). - You can manage them with
ALTER PUBLICATIONandDROP PUBLICATION.
Next, we'll learn how to set up subscriptions to receive these changes!
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Configuring Publications” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Configuring Publications” is free to read here on the web, and the Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Configuring Publications”?
Learn to define publications on a master server to specify which tables and operations to replicate. You practise Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication?
No prior experience is required. Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Configuring Publications” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication lesson?
Yes. Every Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Logical Replication Fundamentals
- Configuring Publications
- Managing Subscriptions
- Conflict Resolution in Logical Replication