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October 15, 2026: PostgreSQL 19 RC 1 Released!

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Chapter 44. PL/Python — Python Procedural Language
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Chapter 44. PL/Python — Python Procedural Language

Table of Contents

44.1. PL/Python Functions

44.2. Data Values

44.2.1. Data Type Mapping
44.2.2. Null, None
44.2.3. Arrays, Lists
44.2.4. Composite Types
44.2.5. Set-Returning Functions

44.3. Sharing Data

44.4. Anonymous Code Blocks

44.5. Trigger Functions

44.6. Database Access

44.6.1. Database Access Functions
44.6.2. Trapping Errors

44.7. Explicit Subtransactions

44.7.1. Subtransaction Context Managers

44.8. Transaction Management

44.9. Utility Functions

44.10. Python 2 vs. Python 3

44.11. Environment Variables

The PL/Python procedural language allows PostgreSQL functions and procedures to be written in the Python language.

To install PL/Python in a particular database, use CREATE EXTENSION plpython3u.

Tip

If a language is installed into template1, all subsequently created databases will have the language installed automatically.

PL/Python is only available as an “untrusted” language, meaning it does not offer any way of restricting what users can do in it and is therefore named plpython3u. A trusted variant plpython might become available in the future if a secure execution mechanism is developed in Python. The writer of a function in untrusted PL/Python must take care that the function cannot be used to do anything unwanted, since it will be able to do anything that could be done by a user logged in as the database administrator. Only superusers can create functions in untrusted languages such as plpython3u.

Note

Users of source packages must specially enable the build of PL/Python during the installation process. (Refer to the installation instructions for more information.) Users of binary packages might find PL/Python in a separate subpackage.

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