PostgreSQL CDC: What, Why, and How
Set up PostgreSQL change data capture (CDC) without worrying about your WAL or replication slot loss. This step-by-step Postgres CDC guide covers WAL configuration, replication user setup, publication creation, and building your first real-time pipeline to Snowflake, Iceberg, or ClickHouse, no Kafka or Debezium required.
We walk through why CDC beats batch replication for Postgres, how the WAL and replication slots actually work (and what goes wrong), and a full setup demo with Estuary, a real-time CDC platform that manages WAL advancement and decouples your source from your destination.
LINKS
- Set up your first data pipeline for free at Estuary: https://dashboard.estuary.dev/register/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=postgres
- Discover more PostgreSQL configuration options in Estuary’s docs: https://docs.estuary.dev/reference/Connectors/capture-connectors/PostgreSQL/
- Explore available destinations to continue your pipeline: https://docs.estuary.dev/reference/Connectors/materialization-connectors/
- Join Estuary on Slack: https://go.estuary.dev/slack
- Contact us: https://estuary.dev/contact-us
FAQ
1. What is Postgres CDC?
CDC, or change data capture, is a method to record all updates made to a database. In conjunction with PostgreSQL, CDC often uses the Postgres write-ahead log for data replication.
We start discussing Postgres CDC at 3:36
2. When should you use CDC? Is it just for real-time data?
CDC can be beneficial for many different use cases since it has a low impact on the replicated Postgres database and handles replication more efficiently than batch queries. Since CDC is also very low latency, it’s a top choice for real-time use cases, though batch workflows will still benefit from an efficiency/low-impact standpoint.
We go over CDC use cases at 2:29
3. Is CDC complicated to implement?
CDC can be complex when creating and managing a DIY solution. You need to be careful that the WAL doesn’t grow beyond expected bounds. A managed solution can make setup and maintenance much simpler; just make sure that the integration platform follows CDC best practices, like keeping the source and destination decoupled.
A brief implementation guide with Estuary starts at 5:55
Media resources used in this video are from Canva and the YouTube Studio Audio Library.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:45 On PostgreSQL
2:05 Change Data Capture
3:36 Postgres + CDC
5:55 Demo: Postgres setup
7:36 Demo: Basic Estuary setup
8:52 Demo: Additional settings
10:35 Wrap up
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Discover the simplest way to connect and move your data.Get hands-on for free, or schedule a demo to see the possibilities for your team.