PostgreSQL is very rich in built-in data types and external extensions. It can be extended easily using the C and C++ languages. In fact, PostgreSQL provides an extension-building infrastructure called PGXS so that extensions can be built against an installed server. Some PostgreSQL extensions, such as PostGIS, require complete chapters to discuss.

PostgreSQL provides a very rich set of data types, such as XML, hstore, JSON, array, and so on. These data types can be used to ease the developer's life by not reinventing the wheel and utilizing the very rich set of functions and operators. Also, several PostgreSQL data types, such as hstore and JSON, can increase the developer's agility because the database's physical design is not amended frequently.

PostgreSQL arrays are very mature; they have a rich set of operators and function. PostgreSQL can handle multidimensional arrays with different base types. Arrays are useful in modeling multivalued attributes as well as in performing several tasks that are difficult to achieve using only the pure relational model.

Hash store is supported in PostgreSQL since version 9.0; it allows the developer to store key values in the data structure. Hash store is very useful in modeling semistructured data as well as in increasing the developer's agility.

Both JSON as well as XML documents are supported, allowing PostgreSQL to support different document exchange formats. PostgreSQL provides several JSON functions to convert rows to JSON and vice versa. This allows PostgreSQL to server also RESTful web services easily.

PostgreSQL also supports full text search. Full text search solves several problems related to language linguistics as well as nonanchored text search performance and enhances end user experience and satisfaction.