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Why is PostgreSQL using 1-based arrays (first element being at index 1) and not 0-based arrays (first element being at index 0)?

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    I guess this was a design decision. Having said that Oracle has done the same
    – Ed Heal
    Aug 7, 2016 at 22:56

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While I think Postgresql has had arrays since before SQL-99, the SQL-99 standard specifies 1-indexed arrays, and it's consistent with other areas in SQL where the first element is 1 instead of 0.

PostgreSQL actually has support for custom array start indexes, but I strongly advise you not to use it.

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    Window ranking functions, too, start from 1: ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), DENSE_RANK().
    – ypercubeᵀᴹ
    Aug 8, 2016 at 8:25
  • You're right, I thought position was 0-indexed. Fixing.
    – Craig Ringer
    Aug 8, 2016 at 14:34

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