overlaps() — PostgreSQL date/time function

overlaps(): intervals overlap?. PostgreSQL date/time functions — signature, volatility, version applicability and an illustrative example.

The Sev-1 Admin
The Sev-1 Admin  ·  2 min read

Summary

overlaps is a PostgreSQL built-in function in the Date/Time Functions group. PostgreSQL’s system catalog (pg_proc) describes it as: “intervals overlap?”.

Signature

overlaps has 13 documented overloaded forms:

overlaps(time with time zone, time with time zone, time with time zone, time with time zone) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp with time zone, interval, timestamp with time zone, interval) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone, interval) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp with time zone, interval, timestamp with time zone, timestamp with time zone) → boolean
overlaps(time, time, time, time) → boolean
overlaps(time, interval, time, interval) → boolean
overlaps(time, time, time, interval) → boolean
overlaps(time, interval, time, time) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp, timestamp, timestamp, timestamp) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp, interval, timestamp, interval) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp, timestamp, timestamp, interval) → boolean
overlaps(timestamp, interval, timestamp, timestamp) → boolean

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: Date/Time 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: boolean

Example

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

SELECT overlaps(NULL::time with time zone, NULL::time with time zone, NULL::time with time zone, NULL::time with time zone);

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

overlaps 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 — Date/Time Functions.