How do i get a bounding polygon around points?

Question

I have a table with thousands of addresses as points.

Is there a function in postgis that will allow me to get a bounding polygon around these points and return it as a polygon?

update I am looking for a more complex polygon than just a bounding rectangle

Answer 1

Sure is, ST_Extent: http://postgis.refractions.net/documentation/manual-1.4/ST_Extent.html

Answer 2

It may be not 100% clear from your question what you mean as more bounding polygon. It may be understood as

• minimum bounding rectangle (also known as MBR or envelope) for which you can use ST_Envelope, ST_Box2D o ST_Extent

• as s a minimum geometry which encloses all points within given geometry, a convex envelope and in this case you can use ST_ConvexHull or even ST_ExteriorRing if your input would be a polygon