.. module:: geoserver.postgis
   :synopsis: Learn how to install a Postgis database, and interact with it via GeoServer.

.. _geoserver.postgis:

Working With PostGIS
====================

This module focuses on using `PostGIS <http://postgis.refractions.net>`_, the spatial extension of `PostgreSQL <http://www.postgresql.org/>`_. The de facto standard in open source spatial databases, PostGIS plays a very important role in an open source mapping solution. Being a fully functional relational database PostGIS is much more suitable for serving mass amounts of data than is a simple file format like Shapefile.

This module focuses on how to use PostGIS with GeoServer. The reader will begin by walking through the installation process, and continue on to learn how to load spatial data into PostGIS. Finally the reader will learn how to publish PostGIS data with GeoSever.

.. note:: Before you start, ensure that the :mod:`Basics <geoserver.basics>` module has been completed.

What you will learn
-------------------

In this module you will:

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1

   Install PostgreSQL <postgres_install>
   Install PostGIS <postgis_install>
   Create a PostGIS spatial database <db_create>
   Load spatial data into PostGIS <postgis_load>
   Add a PostGIS database to GeoServer <gs_db_add>
   Publish PostGIS data with GeoServer <gs_table_add>
   Convert Shapefile data to PostGIS <shp_convert>
