The Companion Lab
A free Docker-based PostgreSQL environment with real datasets, live EXPLAIN diagrams, and every book query at your fingertips.
One docker compose up command launches PostgreSQL with real datasets
and a Query UI at localhost:8042 — no install, no config, no psql required.
Learn Faster by Practicing
Turn what you read into working knowledge by running real queries on real datasets.
Strengthen each lesson with practical experimentation and build lasting intuition.
Continue exploring advanced topics and apply what you learned long after the session ends.
Build real understanding by running queries and seeing how they behave on real data.
Apply concepts immediately by running real queries on real datasets as you read.
Follow along with structured lessons and deepen your understanding through hands-on practice.
Experiment with advanced topics and continue practicing after the live sessions.
Clone, start, open. That's it.
git clone https://github.com/dimitri/TheArtOfPostgreSQLcd TheArtOfPostgreSQL
docker compose up -d
Pulls the pre-seeded image, starts PostgreSQL and the Query UI.
All datasets are included — no build or load step needed.
http://localhost:8042Pick a book chapter from the sidebar, run the queries, tweak them, explore.
✓ No build step ✓ All data included ✓ No database install required
The lab gives you the environment. The course explains the concepts step by step. The workshops help you apply them with real-time guidance.
Everything connects — the lab reinforces your learning
Explains concepts
Structures the learning path
Live deep dives
Where you practice
Learn → Practice → Apply
These are the exact topics covered in the Course and Workshop — here you can try them yourself.
Ranking, running totals, moving averages, frame calculations
GROUP BY patterns, filtering, HAVING vs WHERE, cube/rollup
EXPLAIN ANALYZE, index usage, seq scan vs index scan
Normalization, denormalization trade-offs, indexing strategies
Lateral joins, subqueries, complex multi-table queries
Common table expressions, hierarchical data, recursive queries
Free, open-source, and ready to run locally
Use the lab to apply what you learn, then go further with the course or join a workshop when you’re ready to deepen your expertise.
Already have the book? Take the course.
Not convinced yet? Get a FREE chapter including the full Table of Contents!