> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.postgresql.tw/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.postgresql.tw/internals/overview.md).

# Chapter 51. Overview of PostgreSQL Internals

**Table of Contents**

[51.1. The Path of a Query](/internals/overview/query-path.md)

[51.2. How Connections Are Established](/internals/overview/connect-estab.md)

[51.3. The Parser Stage](/internals/overview/parser-stage.md) : [51.3.1. Parser](/internals/overview/parser-stage.md#PARSER-STAGE-PARSER)

```
[51.3.2. Transformation Process](parser-stage.md#PARSER-STAGE-TRANSFORMATION-PROCESS)
```

[51.4. The PostgreSQL Rule System](/internals/overview/rule-system.md)

[51.5. Planner/Optimizer](/internals/overview/planner-optimizer.md) : [51.5.1. Generating Possible Plans](/internals/overview/planner-optimizer.md#PLANNER-OPTIMIZER-GENERATING-POSSIBLE-PLANS)

[51.6. Executor](/internals/overview/executor.md)

## Author

This chapter originated as part of [\[sim98\]](/bibliography.md#SIM98) Stefan Simkovics' Master's Thesis prepared at Vienna University of Technology under the direction of O.Univ.Prof.Dr. Georg Gottlob and Univ.Ass. Mag. Katrin Seyr.

This chapter gives an overview of the internal structure of the backend of PostgreSQL. After having read the following sections you should have an idea of how a query is processed. This chapter is intended to help the reader understand the general sequence of operations that occur within the backend from the point at which a query is received, to the point at which the results are returned to the client.

***

原文：[PostgreSQL 18.6 Documentation](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/18/overview.html)（英文原文，待翻譯）


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.postgresql.tw/internals/overview.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
