<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /><title>8.8. Geometric Types</title><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" /><link rev="made" href="pgsql-docs@lists.postgresql.org" /><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets Vsnapshot" /><link rel="prev" href="datatype-enum.html" title="8.7. Enumerated Types" /><link rel="next" href="datatype-net-types.html" title="8.9. Network Address Types" /></head><body><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/transitional" class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header"><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">8.8. Geometric Types</th></tr><tr><td width="10%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="datatype-enum.html" title="8.7. Enumerated Types">Prev</a> </td><td width="10%" align="left"><a accesskey="u" href="datatype.html" title="Chapter 8. Data Types">Up</a></td><th width="60%" align="center">Chapter 8. Data Types</th><td width="10%" align="right"><a accesskey="h" href="index.html" title="PostgreSQL 11.5 Documentation">Home</a></td><td width="10%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="datatype-net-types.html" title="8.9. Network Address Types">Next</a></td></tr></table><hr></hr></div><div class="sect1" id="DATATYPE-GEOMETRIC"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both">8.8. Geometric Types</h2></div></div></div><div class="toc"><dl class="toc"><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#id-1.5.7.16.5">8.8.1. Points</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#DATATYPE-LINE">8.8.2. Lines</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#DATATYPE-LSEG">8.8.3. Line Segments</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#id-1.5.7.16.8">8.8.4. Boxes</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#id-1.5.7.16.9">8.8.5. Paths</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#DATATYPE-POLYGON">8.8.6. Polygons</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="datatype-geometric.html#DATATYPE-CIRCLE">8.8.7. Circles</a></span></dt></dl></div><p>
Geometric data types represent two-dimensional spatial
objects. <a class="xref" href="datatype-geometric.html#DATATYPE-GEO-TABLE" title="Table 8.20. Geometric Types">Table 8.20</a> shows the geometric
types available in <span class="productname">PostgreSQL</span>.
</p><div class="table" id="DATATYPE-GEO-TABLE"><p class="title"><strong>Table 8.20. Geometric Types</strong></p><div class="table-contents"><table class="table" summary="Geometric Types" border="1"><colgroup><col /><col /><col /><col /></colgroup><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Storage Size</th><th>Description</th><th>Representation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code class="type">point</code></td><td>16 bytes</td><td>Point on a plane</td><td>(x,y)</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">line</code></td><td>32 bytes</td><td>Infinite line</td><td>{A,B,C}</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">lseg</code></td><td>32 bytes</td><td>Finite line segment</td><td>((x1,y1),(x2,y2))</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">box</code></td><td>32 bytes</td><td>Rectangular box</td><td>((x1,y1),(x2,y2))</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">path</code></td><td>16+16n bytes</td><td>Closed path (similar to polygon)</td><td>((x1,y1),...)</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">path</code></td><td>16+16n bytes</td><td>Open path</td><td>[(x1,y1),...]</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">polygon</code></td><td>40+16n bytes</td><td>Polygon (similar to closed path)</td><td>((x1,y1),...)</td></tr><tr><td><code class="type">circle</code></td><td>24 bytes</td><td>Circle</td><td><(x,y),r> (center point and radius)</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br class="table-break" /><p>
A rich set of functions and operators is available to perform various geometric
operations such as scaling, translation, rotation, and determining
intersections. They are explained in <a class="xref" href="functions-geometry.html" title="9.11. Geometric Functions and Operators">Section 9.11</a>.
</p><div class="sect2" id="id-1.5.7.16.5"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.1. Points</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.5.2" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Points are the fundamental two-dimensional building block for geometric
types. Values of type <code class="type">point</code> are specified using either of
the following syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em>
</pre><p>
where <em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> and <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> are the respective
coordinates, as floating-point numbers.
</p><p>
Points are output using the first syntax.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="DATATYPE-LINE"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.2. Lines</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.6.2" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Lines are represented by the linear
equation <em class="replaceable"><code>A</code></em>x + <em class="replaceable"><code>B</code></em>y + <em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em> = 0,
where <em class="replaceable"><code>A</code></em> and <em class="replaceable"><code>B</code></em> are not both zero. Values
of type <code class="type">line</code> are input and output in the following form:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
{ <em class="replaceable"><code>A</code></em>, <em class="replaceable"><code>B</code></em>, <em class="replaceable"><code>C</code></em> }
</pre><p>
Alternatively, any of the following forms can be used for input:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
[ ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> ) ]
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> ) )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>
</pre><p>
where
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em>)</code>
and
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>)</code>
are two different points on the line.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="DATATYPE-LSEG"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.3. Line Segments</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.7.2" class="indexterm"></a><a id="id-1.5.7.16.7.3" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Line segments are represented by pairs of points that are the endpoints
of the segment. Values of type <code class="type">lseg</code> are specified using any
of the following syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
[ ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> ) ]
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> ) )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>
</pre><p>
where
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em>)</code>
and
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>)</code>
are the end points of the line segment.
</p><p>
Line segments are output using the first syntax.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="id-1.5.7.16.8"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.4. Boxes</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.8.2" class="indexterm"></a><a id="id-1.5.7.16.8.3" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Boxes are represented by pairs of points that are opposite
corners of the box.
Values of type <code class="type">box</code> are specified using any of the following
syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> ) )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>
</pre><p>
where
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em>)</code>
and
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x2</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y2</code></em>)</code>
are any two opposite corners of the box.
</p><p>
Boxes are output using the second syntax.
</p><p>
Any two opposite corners can be supplied on input, but the values
will be reordered as needed to store the
upper right and lower left corners, in that order.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="id-1.5.7.16.9"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.5. Paths</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.9.2" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Paths are represented by lists of connected points. Paths can be
<em class="firstterm">open</em>, where
the first and last points in the list are considered not connected, or
<em class="firstterm">closed</em>,
where the first and last points are considered connected.
</p><p>
Values of type <code class="type">path</code> are specified using any of the following
syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
[ ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ... , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> ) ]
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ... , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> ) )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ... , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , ... , <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , ... , <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em>
</pre><p>
where the points are the end points of the line segments
comprising the path. Square brackets (<code class="literal">[]</code>) indicate
an open path, while parentheses (<code class="literal">()</code>) indicate a
closed path. When the outermost parentheses are omitted, as
in the third through fifth syntaxes, a closed path is assumed.
</p><p>
Paths are output using the first or second syntax, as appropriate.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="DATATYPE-POLYGON"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.6. Polygons</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.10.2" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Polygons are represented by lists of points (the vertexes of the
polygon). Polygons are very similar to closed paths, but are
stored differently and have their own set of support routines.
</p><p>
Values of type <code class="type">polygon</code> are specified using any of the
following syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ... , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> ) )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> ) , ... , ( <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , ... , <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em> )
<em class="replaceable"><code>x1</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y1</code></em> , ... , <em class="replaceable"><code>xn</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>yn</code></em>
</pre><p>
where the points are the end points of the line segments
comprising the boundary of the polygon.
</p><p>
Polygons are output using the first syntax.
</p></div><div class="sect2" id="DATATYPE-CIRCLE"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title">8.8.7. Circles</h3></div></div></div><a id="id-1.5.7.16.11.2" class="indexterm"></a><p>
Circles are represented by a center point and radius.
Values of type <code class="type">circle</code> are specified using any of the
following syntaxes:
</p><pre class="synopsis">
< ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> ) , <em class="replaceable"><code>r</code></em> >
( ( <em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> ) , <em class="replaceable"><code>r</code></em> )
( <em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> ) , <em class="replaceable"><code>r</code></em>
<em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em> , <em class="replaceable"><code>r</code></em>
</pre><p>
where
<code class="literal">(<em class="replaceable"><code>x</code></em>,<em class="replaceable"><code>y</code></em>)</code>
is the center point and <em class="replaceable"><code>r</code></em> is the radius of the
circle.
</p><p>
Circles are output using the first syntax.
</p></div></div><div class="navfooter"><hr /><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer"><tr><td width="40%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="datatype-enum.html">Prev</a> </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="u" href="datatype.html">Up</a></td><td width="40%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="datatype-net-types.html">Next</a></td></tr><tr><td width="40%" align="left" valign="top">8.7. Enumerated Types </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="h" href="index.html">Home</a></td><td width="40%" align="right" valign="top"> 8.9. Network Address Types</td></tr></table></div></body></html>
