26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration
Imagine you are the Head of GIS or any other GIS representative in the Refuge Camp in Chattogram, Bangalesh, working for the International
Organization for Migration (IOM).
Installation and Configuration: QGIS
You will need QGIS for this workshop. If you already have QGIS instaled, great! It is recommended to use the latest Long-Term Release (LTR)
version, which can be downloaded from the official QGIS website: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html. Due to workshop
schedule constraints and potential internet limitations, if you already have an earlier version of QGIS installed on your computer, you can use
that version for the workshop.
However, it is still recommended to have the latest Long-Term Release (LTR) version of QGIS to ensure compatibility and access to the most up-
to-date features.
Installation and Configuration: PostgreSQL
You have the flexibility to choose between two workshop setups: deploying a PostgreSQL database on your local computer or utilizing a remote
cloud provider, such as Aiven, for your database needs.
Use the following table to guide your choice of setup.
Workshop
Description Pluses Minuses
Setup
Local Computer Deploy PostgreSQL on your local computer and have full control over - Get started right - No familiarity with a remote
Setup the database environment for the workshop. away setup
- Need to create a new
account
Remote Cloud Utilize a remote PostgreSQL database provided by Aiven, offering - Familiarize with a
Provider (Aiven) convenience and scalability for your workshop. remote setup - Potential internet issues in
the facilities
Deploying PostgreSQL on localhost
You also have the option to install PostgreSQL on your localhost, regardless of your operating system. Installing PostgreSQL on your local
computer is straightforward and can be done by following the guidelines provided on the official PostgreSQL website:
https://www.postgresql.org/download/.
To proceed with the installation, please ensure you are using PostgreSQL version 15. If you already have an earlier version of PostgreSQL
installed on your system, you can continue using that version as well.
Here are the steps to install PostgreSQL on your local computer:
1. Visit the PostgreSQL website at https://www.postgresql.org/download/ and select the appropriate download link for your operating
system.
2. Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system to complete the installation process.
3. During the installation, you will be prompted to configure the PostgreSQL installation. You can choose the default settings or customize
them based on your preferences.
4. Once the installation is complete, PostgreSQL will be ready to use on your localhost.
By installing PostgreSQL on your local computer, you will have a dedicated database server to work with for your workshop. This will allow you
to have full control over the database environment and perform all necessary tasks directly on your machine.
Managed remote database (Aiven)
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 1/6
26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
You also have the option to utilize a managed remote database for your workshop. There are various cloud providers that offer managed
PostgreSQL databases, and one such provider is Aiven. Aiven was specifically chosen for this workshop due to its user-friendly interface and
their generous support towards open-source initiatives.
If you decide to use Aiven for your workshop, use the coupon the trainer provides you for receiving the credits.
To create and connect to a remote PostgreSQL database on Aiven, please follow the guidelines below:
1. Sign up for an account on the Aiven website (https://aiven.io/) if you haven’t already.
2. Log in to your Aiven account and navigate to the PostgreSQL service.
3. Click on ‘Create Service’ to initiate the creation of a new PostgreSQL database.
4. Select the desired specifications and configurations for your database, ensuring it meets your requirements.
If you feel that you want to start with the Free-tier level PostgreSQL, you can just use the Free-tier and not use your credits at this time.
5. Once the database is created, you will receive the necessary connection details such as host, port, username, and password.
6. Use these connection details to establish a connection to your remote PostgreSQL database from your local environment or any desired
client tool.
By following these guidelines, you will be able to leverage the capabilities of a remote PostgreSQL database provided by Aiven, empowering you
to work with a more robust and scalable infrastructure for your workshop.
Connecting to the database with a database client
QGIS can work as your database client. If you have another PostgreSQL client of preference (e.g. pgAdmin, Dbeaver), you can also use that one.
Integrating the Database with QGIS
1. In QGIS, go to the “Browser” panel and expand the “PostgreSQL” node.
2. Right-click on “PostgreSQL” and select “New Connection” to open the “Create a New PostGIS Connection” dialog.
3. Enter the necessary connection details, including the database name, host, port, username, and password. Mark also “Also list tables
with no geometry” as well.
4. Click “Test Connection” to verify the connection and ensure it is successful.
5. Once the connection is verified, click “OK” to close the dialog and establish the connection.
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 2/6
26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
Using a localhost setup for the workshop, the database connection details would look for example as follows:
If you are using a PostGIS database using Aiven or any other cloud provider the same pop-up window would like this:
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 3/6
26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
If you get errors when testing the connection, be sure to ensure that you do not have any spaces in the connection parameters (Host, Port,
Database, Username, Password). Sometimes the extra spaces come along when we copy and paste text.
6. The database should now appear under the “PostgreSQL” node in the “Browser” panel.
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 4/6
Creating the Database specifically for the Refuge Camp
26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
Besides the default database PostgreSQL creates called “postgres”, we need to create another database dedicated to our Refuge camp project.
You can execute / run SQL in QGIS in various manners, one is right-clicking the database connection you just created and choosing execute
SQL.
Copy and paste the following SQL for creating the database:
CREATE DATABASE camp_facilities_db;
Explain
Then, edit the db-connection you already made, and change the name of the database to camp_facilities_db:
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 5/6
26/06/2024, 15:55 4 Exercise 1: Database Creation and Integration | Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS
And then we need to enable the PostGIS spatial extension, by executing the following SQL (as before):
CREATE EXTENSION postgis;
Explain
For the long-term, you can consider using a database management tool, such as pgAdmin4 or Dbeaver. You can also use psql which is a great
command-line tool for connecting and managing your PostgreSQL databases. Remember that these tools are just different ways accessing to
your database.
Previous Next
Building an Enterprise GIS Workflow with QGIS and PostGIS Gispo Ltd. © 2023
v2023-07-05 Kumpulantie 3, 3. krs
00520 Helsinki, Finland
[email protected]
https://gispocoding.github.io/foss4g_kosovo_2023_workshop/01_part_1.html 6/6
