PostgreSQL REPACK CONCURRENTLY: Reducing maintenance downtime with MVCC-aware repacking
Summary
The article presents a PostgreSQL commit detailing the REPACK CONCURRENTLY option, which allows repacking a table without blocking reads. It explains how MVCC snapshots, replication slots, and a background worker are used to apply concurrent changes before swapping files, enabling continued access until the final swap. This is particularly relevant for DB admins at small and medium businesses looking to reduce maintenance downtime.