Hello,

The chapter currently opens directly with a list of subsections and no 
introductory text.

This differs from the structure used in other chapters, but I understand the 
preference for avoiding redundancy with the ToC.

I've revised the introduction to simplify the structure and avoid restating the 
table of contents too directly, merging the two sentences into one.

Attached is v3.



________________________________
From: David G. Johnston <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 6:14 PM
To: Philip Alger <[email protected]>
Cc: Dragos Andriciuc <[email protected]>; Andreas Karlsson 
<[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: DOCS - Add introductory paragraph to Getting Started chapter

On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 6:51 AM Philip Alger 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:


On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 3:58 AM Dragos Andriciuc 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Thanks for pointing that out. The intention was to add two paragraphs and it is 
now corrected to use
two separate <para> tags. Attached is v2 of the patch.

I have verified that the docs build and render correctly in HTML locally.


Hello,

It's always good to add more documentation. I wouldn't consider two single 
sentences as separate paragraphs though.

However, I think these sentences can be combined into one.

For example:

This chapter provides a practical introduction to 
<productname>PostgreSQL</productname>
by guiding you through software installation, basic architectural concepts, and 
how to create and access
your first database.

I think this version combines the two essentially.


All that does is put the existing Table of Contents into paragraph form.  I'd 
keep the second sentence and let the ToC speak for itself personally.  Or put a 
bit more effort into saying something about those topics that a ToC header 
cannot convey.  I'm fine with the status quo though, at least compared to the 
proposed.

Probably should make 'server', 'client' and 'database' links to the glossary - 
though the architecture page will also provide detail if they perform a linear 
read.

Looking at this more critically, why does installation come before 
architecture?  I would expect architecture to include information that improves 
understanding what is being installed and why.  Or, more generally, theory 
before practice.

Suggestion:
<para>
[First] This chapter provides a brief introduction to the concepts and 
terminology employed in PostgreSQL's design.  [Then] It also walks you through 
getting a server and client installed on your machine and ensuring it is 
functioning by creating a new database and connecting to it via the command 
line client.
</para>

David J.


Attachment: v3-0001-Add-introductory-paragraph-to-Getting-Started-chapter.patch
Description: v3-0001-Add-introductory-paragraph-to-Getting-Started-chapter.patch

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