PostgreSQL provides a large number of functions and operators for the built-in data types. Users can also define their own functions and operators, as described in the Programmer's Guide. The psql commands \df and \do can be used to show the list of all actually available functions and operators, respectively.

If you are concerned about portability then take note that most of the functions and operators described in this chapter, with the exception of the most trivial arithmetic and comparison operators and some explicitly marked functions, are not specified by the SQL standard. Some of this extended functionality is present in other RDBMS products, and in many cases this functionality is compatible and consistent between various products.