Three separate map-state blocks show an empty symbol, NULL, and quoted NULL, distinguishing absence, a null value and text.

hstore holds a flexible key-value map in a column

The hstore extension stores a flat map of text keys to text values, including nullable values. It can fit optional descriptive attributes whose shape varies between rows. That flexibility does not remove the need to define important keys, validate values, and choose indexes from actual predicates. Access flags, prices, and credentials deserve deliberate modeling rather than being hidden among supposedly harmless metadata. ...

June 16, 2027 · 5 min · XB Field Notes