Database with Docker

Running a PostgreSQL server with Docker

Setting up a relational database management system on a personal computer can be time-consuming. It usually requires installing the database server, configuring users, creating a database, and installing a client application to connect to it.

Docker greatly simplifies this process by packaging everything into isolated containers. With a single command, you can start a complete working environment including PostgreSQL and CloudBeaver, without having to install or configure either application manually.

1 Prerequisites

• Install Docker Desktop
• Start Docker Desktop
• Get the docker-compose.yml file
  • or clone this repository

2 Start the environment

• Open a terminal in the same folder of docker-compose.yml
• Start the containers
  • docker compose up -d

This command creates and starts two containers:

• PostgreSQL, containing the ensai database.
• CloudBeaver, a web interface used to browse and query the database.

Other usefull commands:

docker compose stop           # To stop the containers without deleting the database
docker compose start          # To restart them later

docker compose down -v        # To completely remove the containers and the PostgreSQL data

3 Connect to CloudBeaver

CloudBeaver is deployed on port 8978.

At the first startup, you have to create an admin account and login:

• Open http://localhost:8978
• Create an admin account filling login and password and click Next
• Login using this account

4 Create the PostgreSQL connection

The next step is to connect to the PostgreSQL database.

• Create a new connection (PostgreSQL)
• Fill the form and create the connection
  • Host: postgres
  • Database: ensai
  • Username: ensai
  • Password: ensai

These values are those provided in the docker-compose.yml file.

The connection now appears in the explorer on the left.

• Clic on the connection and login (ensai/ensai)
• Open a SQL Editor

And here we go!