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Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication · Lesson

Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture

Use logical decoding to stream row-level changes out of PostgreSQL for CDC pipelines and event-driven systems.

Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture is a free Advanced PostgreSQL: Indexing, Partitioning, Replication lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 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 Is Logical Decoding

Logical decoding turns the write-ahead log into a readable stream of logical row changes. It is the foundation of both logical replication and external Change Data Capture (CDC).

Output Plugins

A plugin decides the format of the change stream. Built-in pgoutput powers logical replication; test_decoding emits human-readable text; tools like Debezium use their own.

Prerequisite: wal_level

Logical decoding needs wal_level = logical. Changing it requires a restart.

-- postgresql.conf
wal_level = logical

Creating a Logical Slot

A logical replication slot tracks how far a consumer has read and prevents WAL needed by it from being removed.

SELECT pg_create_logical_replication_slot(
  'cdc_slot', 'test_decoding');

Peeking at Changes

pg_logical_slot_peek_changes shows pending changes without advancing the slot, useful for inspection.

SELECT * FROM pg_logical_slot_peek_changes(
  'cdc_slot', NULL, NULL);

Consuming Changes

pg_logical_slot_get_changes reads and advances the slot, so those changes will not be returned again.

SELECT * FROM pg_logical_slot_get_changes(
  'cdc_slot', NULL, NULL);

Example Change Output

With test_decoding an INSERT appears as readable text describing the table and new column values, wrapped between BEGIN and COMMIT markers.

BEGIN 712
table public.users: INSERT: id[int]:1 name[text]:'Ada'
COMMIT 712

Slots Hold WAL

An inactive slot keeps WAL forever, which can fill the disk. Monitor and drop unused slots.

SELECT slot_name, active FROM pg_replication_slots;
SELECT pg_drop_replication_slot('cdc_slot');

CDC Pipelines

External CDC connectors stream from a slot into systems like Kafka, search indexes, or data warehouses, enabling near-real-time downstream updates.

At-least-once Delivery

Consumers must track the last confirmed LSN and handle possible re-delivery after a crash. Design downstream writes to be idempotent.

Replica Identity for CDC

To capture the full before image on updates and deletes, set REPLICA IDENTITY FULL on tables without a usable primary key.

ALTER TABLE orders REPLICA IDENTITY FULL;

Quick Check

Why must logical replication slots be monitored?

Recap

You learned logical decoding: set wal_level=logical, create a logical slot with an output plugin, peek or consume changes, and feed CDC pipelines. Monitor slots, design idempotent consumers, and set replica identity for full change images.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture” 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 “Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture”?

Use logical decoding to stream row-level changes out of PostgreSQL for CDC pipelines and event-driven systems. 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 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture” 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

  1. Cascading Replication
  2. Multi-Master Replication (BDR)
  3. Replication Slots and WAL Management
  4. Logical Decoding and Change Data Capture
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