variance() — PostgreSQL aggregate aggregate function

variance(): historical alias for var_samp. PostgreSQL aggregate functions — signature, volatility, version applicability and an illustrative example.

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

Summary

variance is a PostgreSQL built-in aggregate function in the Aggregate Functions group. PostgreSQL’s system catalog (pg_proc) describes it as: “historical alias for var_samp”.

Signature

variance has 6 documented overloaded forms:

variance(bigint) → numeric
variance(integer) → numeric
variance(smallint) → numeric
variance(real) → double precision
variance(double precision) → double precision
variance(numeric) → numeric

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: Aggregate Functions
  • Kind: Aggregate 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: double precision, numeric

Example

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

SELECT variance(col) FROM your_table;

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

variance 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 — Aggregate Functions.