Still Using COUNT(*) to Count Rows? Explore Faster Alternatives!

When working with databases, one of the most common questions you may find yourself asking is, “How many rows are in this table?”

In PostgreSQL, the answer might not be as straightforward as it seems at first glance.

Although the SQL command to count rows appears simple, the underlying mechanics and performance implications can be more complex.

In this article, we’ll explore the different methods to count rows in PostgreSQL, their performance characteristics, and the factors that influence the results.

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The Basic COUNT(*) Statement

The most direct way to count the rows in a table is by using the SQL COUNT(*) function. The basic syntax is:

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table_name;

This command will return a single integer representing the total number of rows in the specified table. For example, if you run SELECT COUNT(*) FROM orders;, the result might be something like 345, indicating that there are 345 rows in the "orders"…