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Why Every DBA Should Master pg_stat_activity ?

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pg_stat_activity

Why Every DBA Should Master pg_stat_activity ?

Introduction

Database performance issues can appear at any time — and as a DBA, your first response should be to see what’s happening inside PostgreSQL.
That’s where pg_stat_activity comes in — a built-in system view that gives you real-time visibility into all active database sessions and queries.

What is pg_stat_activity?

pg_stat_activity provides detailed information about every backend (connection) currently active in the database.
It shows user names, query states, start times, and even locks, helping DBAs quickly identify performance bottlenecks.

Key Columns to Watch

  • datname: Database name

  • usename: User executing the query

  • state: Query status (active, idle, waiting)

  • query_start: When the query began

  • query: The actual SQL command being executed

  • wait_event: Indicates if a process is waiting on locks or I/O

Detect Long-Running Queries

Slow queries can silently degrade system performance.
This query helps you identify them:

SELECT pid, usename, query, now() - query_start AS runtime
FROM pg_stat_activity
WHERE state = 'active' AND now() - query_start > interval '2 minutes';

👉 Once found, you can analyze or terminate them if necessary.

Handling Blocked Sessions

Sometimes queries get stuck waiting for locks.
You can use:

SELECT blocking.pid AS blocking_pid, blocked.pid AS blocked_pid, blocked.query AS blocked_query
FROM pg_stat_activity blocked
JOIN pg_stat_activity blocking ON blocked.wait_event IS NOT NULL;

This helps pinpoint the exact process causing contention.

Proactive Monitoring Tips

  • Regularly monitor active connections and idle sessions.

  • Integrate pg_stat_activity with tools like pgAdmin, Grafana, or Prometheus.

  • Set alerts for long-running transactions or blocked queries.

Why Every DBA Should Master It

Because it gives you instant situational awareness.
When your database slows down, pg_stat_activity is the first place to look — helping you act before users even notice an issue.

Conclusion

pg_stat_activity is not just a monitoring view — it’s your DBA command center.
Master it, automate it, and use it daily to keep your PostgreSQL environment fast, efficient, and healthy.

💙 Shared by Learnomate Technologies – Empowering DBAs with real-world PostgreSQL insights.

Final Thoughts

Tablespaces are a powerful feature in PostgreSQL, but they come with backup challenges that can’t be ignored. By understanding how tablespaces work and using the right tools and practices, you can ensure your backups are complete, consistent, and restorable.

If you’re facing a specific issue with tablespace backups, feel free to share the error or scenario—I’d be happy to help troubleshoot!

At Learnomate Technologies, we make sure you not only understand such cutting-edge features but also know how to implement them in real-world projects. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into the database world or an experienced professional upgrading your skillset—we’ve got your back with the most practical, hands-on training in Oracle technologies.

📺 Want to see how we teach? Head over to our YouTube channel for insights, tutorials, and tech breakdowns: 👉 www.youtube.com/@learnomate

🌐 To know more about our courses, offerings, and team: Visit our official website: 👉 www.learnomate.org

💼 Let’s connect and talk tech! Follow me on LinkedIn for more updates, thoughts, and learning resources: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankushthavali/

📝 If you want to read more about different technologies, Check out our detailed blog posts here: 👉 https://learnomate.org/blogs/

Let’s keep learning, exploring, and growing together. Because staying curious is the first step to staying ahead.

Happy learning!

ANKUSH😎

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