Difference between `union` and `union all` in psql

union is an operator that operates on two sets of results, combining them:

chris=# select 1 union select 2;
 ?column?
----------
        1
        2
(2 rows)

It filters duplicate results though:

chris=# select 1 union select 1;
 ?column?
----------
        1
(1 row)

If you want to not worry about duplicate results and just stack the result sets on top of each other use union all:

chris=# select 1 union all select 1;
 ?column?
----------
        1
        1
(2 rows)