Definition
An open-source extension for PostgreSQL that enables high-dimensional vector storage and similarity search (using IVFFlat or HNSW indexes) directly within a relational database. It allows RAG pipelines to unify unstructured vector data with structured relational metadata, offering ACID compliance at the cost of slightly higher latency compared to purpose-built, memory-first vector databases.
Not a standalone database, but a module that adds vector capabilities to a standard SQL environment.
"A standard library filing cabinet where index cards include GPS coordinates to 'conceptual locations' rather than just shelf numbers."
- HNSW (Hierarchical Navigable Small World)(Component)
- Cosine Similarity(Component)
- Vector Embedding(Prerequisite)
- ACID Compliance(Component)
Conceptual Overview
An open-source extension for PostgreSQL that enables high-dimensional vector storage and similarity search (using IVFFlat or HNSW indexes) directly within a relational database. It allows RAG pipelines to unify unstructured vector data with structured relational metadata, offering ACID compliance at the cost of slightly higher latency compared to purpose-built, memory-first vector databases.
Disambiguation
Not a standalone database, but a module that adds vector capabilities to a standard SQL environment.
Visual Analog
A standard library filing cabinet where index cards include GPS coordinates to 'conceptual locations' rather than just shelf numbers.