Login/Group Roles(12)

lgr Login/Group Roles(12)#

In pgAdmin, Login / Group Roles (12) means:

PostgreSQL currently has 12 roles (users & groups) defined on this server.

The number (12) is simply a count, just like:

  • Servers (1)

  • Databases (2)

  • Tablespaces (2)

What is a Role in PostgreSQL?#

In PostgreSQL, a role is a unified concept that can act as:

  • 👤 User (Login Role)

  • 👥 Group (Role without login)

PostgreSQL does not separate users and groups like some databases — everything is a role.

What pgAdmin shows under Login / Group Roles

pgAdmin lists roles like System-defined roles (built-in)

These are created automatically by PostgreSQL:

  • pg_database_owner

  • pg_execute_server_program

  • pg_monitor

  • pg_read_all_data

  • pg_read_all_settings

  • pg_read_all_stats

  • pg_read_server_files

  • pg_signal_backend

  • pg_stat_scan_tables

  • pg_write_all_data

  • pg_write_server_files

These roles are for internal permissions and advanced administration.

User-defined role

Example from your screenshot:

  • sherullahmohtat

This is a login role, meaning:

  • ✅ Can log in

  • ✅ Can own databases

  • ✅ Can create roles / data (depending on permissions)

🔑 Login Role vs Group Role

Type

Login?

Purpose

Login Role

✅ Yes

Used to connect to PostgreSQL

Group Role

❌ No

Used to group permissions

Example

Role: app_user        → LOGIN
Role: app_readonly   → NOLOGIN

You then grant the group role to the user.

Why PostgreSQL uses Roles instead of Users + Groups

PostgreSQL roles allow:

  • Flexible permission management

  • Role inheritance

  • Secure access control

  • Enterprise-grade security

One role can:

  • Log in

  • Own objects

  • Grant permissions

  • Belong to other roles

How pgAdmin represents roles visually

In pgAdmin:

  • 👤 Icon → Login role

  • 👥 Icon → Group role

  • 🔒 Toggles show permissions like:

  • Can login?

  • Superuser?

  • Create roles?

  • Create databases?

These switches map directly to PostgreSQL role attributes.

Why the number shows (12)

Login / Group Roles (12)
Means:

  • Total roles defined on the server = 12

  • Includes:

  • System roles

  • Custom roles

  • Login + non-login roles

Note

📝 One-line summary

Login / Group Roles represent PostgreSQL users and permission groups that control who can connect, what they can access, and what actions they are allowed to perform.

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