Firebird is a popular open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that was initially forked from Borland’s InterBase in 2000. Despite being cross-platform and supporting a wide range of programming languages, it may not be scalable enough to meet the increased performance requirements of growing companies. As a result, organizations often consider migrating from Firebird to more advanced database management systems that offer features such as integrated replication and full-text search. One such system is PostgreSQL, an object-relational database management system that is known for its multi-level security system, indexing approaches, and support for subselects, transactions, and user-defined types.

However, manual migration can be complex and risky, as it increases the likelihood of data loss or corruption due to human error. Some of the main bottlenecks of Firebird or Interbase to PostgreSQL database migration include the fact that some types of the source DBMS do not have a direct equivalent in PostgreSQL, the semantic of escaped strings inside SQL statements in PostgreSQL differs from Firebird, and Firebird auto-increment columns must be migrated into PostgreSQL serial types.

To automate and simplify the migration process, there are various approaches available, such as using free tools like FBexport. This tool can export Firebird databases into comma-separated values (CSV) or SQL INSERT-statements, but it requires some manual effort to create the target database and all table structures. Additionally, INSERT-statements must be transformed according to PostgreSQL syntax.

There are also commercial tools available, such as the Firebird to PostgreSQL converter developed by Intelligent Converters. This converter can automate the migration process with just a few clicks, migrating table definitions, data, indexes, and constraints. It also offers advanced features such as support for all versions of Firebird, Interbase and PostgreSQL (including popular cloud variations such as Heroku, Azure for PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS), the ability to change column attributes or exclude them from conversion, full Unicode support, and the option to merge or sync Firebird data into an existing PostgreSQL database.

The converter provides the option to export Firebird or Interbase databases into PostgreSQL scripts that include CREATE and INSERT statements to create tables and fill them with data for the target database management system. This approach may be used when a direct connection to the PostgreSQL server is not possible. Furthermore, the Firebird to PostgreSQL converter offers command-line support to script and schedule the database migration process.

Intelligent Converters provides a free demo version of the Firebird to PostgreSQL converter with limited capabilities that allows users to test the main features before purchasing the full version. Additionally, every license of the converter is supplied with unlimited support and a one-year subscription for updates.