Convert DateTime in SQL Server – A Comprehensive Guide for Dev

Hello Dev, as a developer, you may have come across the need to convert date and time values in SQL Server. Converting DateTime in SQL Server may seem like a simple task, but it can be tricky if you are not familiar with the functions and syntax. In this journal article, we will discuss how to convert DateTime in SQL Server with 20 consecutive headings, including tables and FAQs, to help you understand the process better. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Date and Time Data Types in SQL Server

Before we can start converting DateTime in SQL Server, it’s essential to understand the different date and time data types available in SQL Server. There are four main date and time data types:

Now that we have a basic understanding of the date and time data types let’s move on to the next section.

Converting DateTime to String

One of the most common requirements in SQL Server is to convert DateTime to a string format. You can use the CONVERT function to convert DateTime to a string. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(10), GETDATE(), 101) AS DateString;

The above query will return the current date in the format MM/DD/YYYY. You can replace the 101 value with other style codes to get different date formats. Refer to the table below for some popular style codes:

The above examples are just a few of the many ways you can convert DateTime to string format. Let’s move on to the next section.

Converting String to DateTime

Converting a string to DateTime is also a common requirement in SQL Server. You can use the CONVERT function to achieve this. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(DATETIME, '09/22/2022', 101) AS DateTimeValue;

The above query will convert the string ’09/22/2022′ to a DateTime value. You can replace the 101 value with other style codes, as mentioned earlier, to get different string formats. Refer to the table below for some popular style codes:

The above examples are just a few of the many ways you can convert string to DateTime format. Let’s move on to the next section.

Converting DateTime Between Time Zones

When dealing with DateTime values in SQL Server, you may need to convert them between different time zones. The easiest way to achieve this is by using the AT TIME ZONE function. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(10), GETDATE() AT TIME ZONE 'Pacific Standard Time', 101) AS PSTDate;

The above query will convert the current DateTime value to the Pacific Standard Time zone and return the date portion in MM/DD/YYYY format. You can replace the ‘Pacific Standard Time’ value with other time zone values to get the DateTime value in the respective time zone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How do I convert DateTime to Unix timestamp in SQL Server?

A. To convert DateTime to Unix timestamp in SQL Server, you can use the DATEDIFF function. Here’s an example:

SELECT DATEDIFF(SECOND, '1970-01-01 00:00:00', GETDATE()) AS UnixTimestamp;

The above query will return the current DateTime value in Unix timestamp format.

Q. How do I convert DateTime to UTC in SQL Server?

A. To convert DateTime to UTC in SQL Server, you can use the SWITCHOFFSET function. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(DATETIMEOFFSET, GETDATE()) AT TIME ZONE 'UTC' AS UTCDateTime;

The above query will convert the current DateTime value to UTC and return the DateTime value in DateTimeOffset data type.

Q. How do I convert DateTime to epoch format in SQL Server?

A. To convert DateTime to epoch format in SQL Server, you can use the DATEDIFF function. Here’s an example:

SELECT DATEDIFF(SECOND, '1970-01-01 00:00:00', GETDATE()) AS EpochDateTime;

The above query will return the current DateTime value in epoch format.

Q. How do I convert UTC DateTime to local DateTime in SQL Server?

A. To convert UTC DateTime to local DateTime in SQL Server, you can use the SWITCHOFFSET function. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(DATETIMEOFFSET, GETUTCDATE()) AT TIME ZONE 'Central Standard Time' AS LocalDateTime;

The above query will convert the current UTC DateTime value to the Central Standard Time zone and return the local DateTime value in DateTimeOffset data type.

Q. How do I convert DateTime to ISO format in SQL Server?

A. To convert DateTime to ISO format in SQL Server, you can use the CONVERT function. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(30), GETDATE(), 126) AS ISODateTime;

The above query will return the current DateTime value in ISO format.

Conclusion

We hope that this journal article has helped you understand how to convert DateTime in SQL Server better. Converting DateTime values in SQL Server can be challenging, but with the right functions and syntax, you can perform these conversions effortlessly. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!