pg_plan_alternatives: Tracing PostgreSQL’s Query Plan Alternatives using eBPF

190 · Jan Nidzwetzki · March 4, 2026, 10:01 p.m.
Summary
The blog post discusses the development of a tool called pg_plan_alternatives that utilizes eBPF to trace PostgreSQL's cost-based optimizer's alternative query plans. It explains how this tool helps users understand the optimizer's decision-making, providing insights into improving system performance.