====== getMedian ======
~~NOTOC~~
<WRAP right box>
== Syntax ==
   mixed getMedian {
     string $table
     string $column
     optional string $where
  }
</WRAP>

The method getMedian() does not return a true [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median|arithmetic median]] but simply returns the value of a specific column in a specified table closest to the middle of a record set, as specified by WHERE criteria.

If the number of records in the recordset is an even number, it returns the lower of the 2 closest records. 

Because the method does not perform an arithmetic operation on the returned data, it can be used on character fields as well as numeric.



The $where clause is optional, but if used, the WHERE statement must begin with the keyword //**WHERE**//, as in "WHERE name > 'A'". 

If an error occurs or a median row cannot be determined (for example the table is empty), false is returned.
------------------------------
==== Usage ====
<code php>
/*
 * Assumed database connection in $db
*/
$table = 'zip_codes';
$column = 'population';
$where  = 'WHERE zip_code IN (80401,80402,80403)';

$medianPopulation = $db->getMedian($table,$column,$where);

</code>