# 17.3. Getting The Source

The PostgreSQL source code for released versions can be obtained from the download section of our website: <https://www.postgresql.org/ftp/source/>. Download the `postgresql-`*`version`*`.tar.gz` or `postgresql-`*`version`*`.tar.bz2` file you're interested in, then unpack it:

<pre><code><strong>tar xf postgresql-version.tar.bz2
</strong></code></pre>

This will create a directory `postgresql-`*`version`* under the current directory with the PostgreSQL sources. Change into that directory for the rest of the installation procedure.

Alternatively, you can use the Git version control system; see [Section I.1](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/git.html) for more information.


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