What is PostgreSQL explain telling me exactly?

Question

MySQL\'s explain output is pretty straightforward. PostgreSQL\'s is a little more complicated. I haven\'t been able to find a good resource that explains it either.

Answer 1

If you install pgadmin, there's an Explain button that as well as giving the text output draws diagrams of what's happening, showing the filters, sorts and sub-set merges that I find really useful to see what's happening.