If I'm using PostgreSQL, do I need a server too? Like AWS RDS?

Question

In my CS program, I was told I should learn SQL for my databases.

If I'm using PostgreSQL, do I also need a SQL server to go along with it? Is PostgreSQL a language, a server, or both? Is there even a SQL language or is it only servers?

Background: I downloaded Postgres because hey, that has SQL in the name, it works and I'm under the impression it's a pretty good choice anyway. But I couldn't figure out through their website if it needs a companion server, so I went looking for one and found AWS RDS.

The impression I have is that Postgres is the language and AWS RDS is the server, and they serve different functions. But I'm not sure about any of that.

Answer 1

I have used Postgres and it is an excellent product (and free). I would install it standalone first. It does come with its own client tools, which you use to communicate with the database server, which runs independently as a service. However, you might be better off installing something like SqlWorkbench as a client tool (which I use). In the config you specify the machine Postgres is running on (which can be your local computer for testing purposes) and the port to connect on. Essentially, the client sends your instructions to Postgres server and the server returns the resultsets associated with your instructions. The client also formats the resultsets into a nice readable "spreadsheet" format with rows and columns.