PostgreSQL naming conventions

Question

Where can I find a detailed manual about PostgreSQL naming conventions? (table names vs. camel case, sequences, primary keys, constraints, indexes, etc...)

Answer 1

There isn't really a formal manual, because there's no single style or standard.

So long as you understand the rules of identifier naming you can use whatever you like.

In practice, I find it easier to use lower_case_underscore_separated_identifiers because it isn't necessary to "Double Quote" them everywhere to preserve case, spaces, etc.

If you wanted to name your tables and functions "@MyAṕṕ! ""betty"" Shard$42" you'd be free to do that, though it'd be pain to type everywhere.

The main things to understand are:

• Unless double-quoted, identifiers are case-folded to lower-case, so MyTable, MYTABLE and mytable are all the same thing, but "MYTABLE" and "MyTable" are different;

• Unless double-quoted:

  SQL identifiers and key words must begin with a letter (a-z, but also letters with diacritical marks and non-Latin letters) or an underscore (_). Subsequent characters in an identifier or key word can be letters, underscores, digits (0-9), or dollar signs ($).

• You must double-quote keywords if you wish to use them as identifiers.

In practice I strongly recommend that you do not use keywords as identifiers. At least avoid reserved words. Just because you can name a table "with" doesn't mean you should.