Description

Returns a geometry representing the portions of geonetries A and B that do not intersect. This is equivalent to ST_Union(A,B) - ST_Intersection(A,B). It is called a symmetric difference because ST_SymDifference(A,B) = ST_SymDifference(B,A).

If the optional gridSize parameter is given (GEOS-3.9.0 or higher required), all result vertices are guaranteed to fall on a grid of the specified size. For the operation to give predictable results all the input vertices must fall already on the specified grid, see ST_ReducePrecision.

Performed by the GEOS module

Enhanced: 3.1.0 accept a gridSize parameter.

Requires GEOS >= 3.9.0 to use the gridSize parameter

This method implements the OGC Simple Features Implementation Specification for SQL 1.1.

s2.1.1.3

This method implements the SQL/MM specification.

SQL-MM 3: 5.1.21

This function supports 3d and will not drop the z-index.

However, the result is computed using XY only. The result Z values are copied, averaged or interpolated.

Examples

The original linestrings shown together

The symmetric difference of the two linestrings

--Safe for 2d - symmetric difference of 2 linestrings
SELECT ST_AsText(
    ST_SymDifference(
        ST_GeomFromText('LINESTRING(50 100, 50 200)'),
        ST_GeomFromText('LINESTRING(50 50, 50 150)')
    )
);

st_astext
---------
MULTILINESTRING((50 150,50 200),(50 50,50 100))

--When used in 3d doesn't quite do the right thing
SELECT ST_AsEWKT(ST_SymDifference(ST_GeomFromEWKT('LINESTRING(1 2 1, 1 4 2)'),
    ST_GeomFromEWKT('LINESTRING(1 1 3, 1 3 4)')))

st_astext
------------
MULTILINESTRING((1 3 2.75,1 4 2),(1 1 3,1 2 2.25))
        

See Also

ST_Difference, ST_Intersection, ST_Union, ST_ReducePrecision