Problem
Is PostgreSQL a required component of any STAAD application? If it is, does the particular version of PostgreSQL matter or can this be updated to a newer version without causing issues with the software?
Solution
PostgreSQL 8.3 is no longer required to be installed for STAAD Advanced Concrete Design module. All New Version Files in STAAD Advanced Concrete Design RCDC CONNECT Edition (10 and above) are created using SQLite. During Installation of STAAD Advanced Concrete module, PostgreSQL Installation can be skipped.
However, in case a user has .rcdx files created with older version (older than v10), then to convert them to the new version, installation of PostgreSQL is required. Once you open files of older version, they are automatically converted to the new version. Since old files were created used PostgreSQL, it is required for conversion. But for a new user with version 10 and later, who will not be accessing any older .rcdx file, it is not required at all.
If a user is installing version10.00.00.278 and above, PostgreSQL can be updated to a newer version. However, issue may arise if the user has files created in older version(older than V10). We have not tested the conversion of older RCDC files (older than v10) with latest PostgreSQL. For the safer side, if there are files from version 8, it is suggested not to upgrade to newer PostgreSQL.
If a user is accessing files created only in version 10 and later, PostgreSQL does not matter at all.