center() — PostgreSQL geometric function

center(): center of. PostgreSQL geometric functions — signature, volatility, version applicability and an illustrative example.

The Sev-1 Admin
The Sev-1 Admin  ·  1 min read

Summary

center is a PostgreSQL built-in function in the Geometric Functions group. PostgreSQL’s system catalog (pg_proc) describes it as: “center of”.

Signature

center has 2 documented overloaded forms:

center(box) → point
center(circle) → point

Argument and return types are taken from the pg_proc catalog; internal type names are shown using their readable SQL spellings (for example int4 is shown as integer). (Derived from the catalog — see the linked reference for the canonical documentation.)

Classification

  • Category: Geometric Functions
  • Kind: Function
  • Volatility: IMMUTABLE — Marked IMMUTABLE — it always returns the same result for the same arguments and can be used in indexes and other contexts that require immutability.
  • Returns: point

Example

Illustrative form (replace placeholder values with your own data):

SELECT center(box '((0,0),(1,1))');

The example above is illustrative and is meant to show calling syntax only; consult the linked PostgreSQL documentation for exact semantics, edge cases and accepted argument combinations.

Version applicability

center is present across the surveyed releases (PostgreSQL 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). On older major versions, behaviour may differ in detail — always check the documentation for the version you run.

Related & references

Reference: PostgreSQL documentation — Geometric Functions.