PostgreSQL Connection Modes: Session vs Transaction Mode Explained
What are PostgreSQL Connection Modes? PostgreSQL offers two primary connection modes through connection poolers like PgBouncer: Session Mode (also known as Connection Mode) and Transaction Mode. Each mode serves different use cases and comes with its own set of advantages and trade-offs. Session Mode (Connection Mode) Explained Provides a dedicated database connection for each client throughout their entire session Only releases the connection when the client explicitly disconnects Maintains full compatibility with all PostgreSQL features and session-level commands Offers better reliability and compatibility with all PostgreSQL clients Consumes more database resources due to long-lived connections[2] Transaction Mode Deep Dive Maintains database connections only during active transactions Automatically returns connections to the pool after transaction completion Supports up to 10,000 client connections with minimal pool size Optimizes resource usage by efficiently managing idle connections Particularly effective for applications with numerous low-activity connections[2][3] Key Differences Between Session and Transaction Modes Connection Lifecycle: ...