Databases and Infrastructure for 2026-08-10

PostgreSQL and QEMU developers refined patches for crypto emulation, replication slot handling, WAL defaults, partitioning helpers, and RISC-V extensions. The work targets reliability and hardware fidelity in upcoming releases.

QEMU ASPEED HACE crypto command support

A v2 patch series on qemu-devel adds emulation for the ASPEED HACE crypto command covering AES, DES, CTR, and GCM. The changes are required for AST2700 kernel boot self-tests. Readers tracking embedded or BMC systems gain accurate QEMU support for that accelerator.

Replication slot release on error in PostgreSQL

A patch under discussion on pgsql-hackers releases replication slots on error inside SQL-callable slot functions. It introduces subxact tracking so slots are freed on abort. The fix improves correctness for applications that manage slots through SQL.

WAL compression default after LZ4 change

PostgreSQL hackers debated the WAL compression algorithm default for PG19 following the LZ4 shift. Benchmarks favor zstd for superior ratio over lz4. The outcome will set the baseline compression behavior for the next major release.

Internal get_partition_root helper

A proposed C function get_partition_root is under review on pgsql-hackers. Reviewers refined comments, Asserts, and handling of detached-partition edge cases. The helper simplifies internal code that must locate the root of a partition hierarchy.

True Zicclsm extension for QEMU RISC-V

A v7 patch series on qemu-devel adds the true Zicclsm extension as a CPU option for RISC-V targets. When disabled it enables traps on misaligned accesses. The change raises emulation accuracy for systems that rely on the extension.