Hello and welcome to our journal article about date formats in SQL Server. In this article, we will be discussing various date formats that you can use in SQL Server, how to convert dates to different formats, and answering frequently asked questions about date formats in SQL Server.
Date Formats in SQL Server
SQL Server supports several date and time data types that you can use when you create a table or modify an existing table. Some of the commonly used date and time data types in SQL Server are:
| Data Type | Description |
|---|---|
| datetime | Stores both date and time values in a single field |
| date | Stores only date values |
| time | Stores only time values |
When you store a date value in SQL Server, it’s stored as a numerical value that represents the number of days since January 1, 1900. Time values are stored as the number of ticks since midnight. When you retrieve the date and time values from SQL Server, you can display them in a variety of formats.
Converting Dates to Different Formats
To convert dates to different formats in SQL Server, you can use the CONVERT function. The syntax of the CONVERT function is:
CONVERT(target_type, expression [, style])
The target_type parameter specifies the data type to which you want to convert the expression, and the style parameter specifies the format of the date or time value. If you omit the style parameter, SQL Server uses the default date format of your system.
Here’s an example of how to use the CONVERT function to convert a datetime value to a string:
SELECT CONVERT(varchar, getdate(), 101) AS [MM/DD/YYYY]
This query returns the current date in the format of MM/DD/YYYY.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default date format in SQL Server?
The default date format in SQL Server depends on the language and localization settings of your system. However, the default date format for US English is mm/dd/yyyy.
How do I change the default date format in SQL Server?
You can change the default date format in SQL Server by changing the language and localization settings of your system. However, this may affect other programs and applications on your system as well. Alternatively, you can use the CONVERT function to convert date values to the format that you want.
How do I compare dates in SQL Server?
To compare dates in SQL Server, you can use the comparison operators such as =, <, >, <=, and >=. When you compare datetime values, SQL Server compares them based on the number of ticks since midnight.
How do I add or subtract days from a date in SQL Server?
To add or subtract days from a date in SQL Server, you can use the DATEADD function. The DATEADD function adds or subtracts a specified number of intervals (such as days, months, or years) to a given date. Here’s an example:
SELECT DATEADD(day, 7, '2022-01-01') AS [Next Week]
This query returns the date that is 7 days after January 1, 2022.
How do I get the current date and time in SQL Server?
To get the current date and time in SQL Server, you can use the GETDATE function. The GETDATE function returns a datetime value that represents the current date and time according to the system clock of the server running SQL Server. Here’s an example:
SELECT GETDATE() AS [Current Date and Time]
This query returns the current date and time.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been helpful in answering your questions about date formats in SQL Server. Remember that SQL Server supports several date and time data types and you can convert dates to different formats using the CONVERT function. If you have any further questions, please feel free to consult the Microsoft documentation or contact us for assistance.