Datetime SQL Server Format

Hello Dev, welcome to this journal article about datetime SQL Server format. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about datetime format in SQL Server. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this article will be useful for you.

What is Datetime Format in SQL Server?

Datetime format refers to the way dates and times are stored in SQL Server. It is a combination of date and time values, represented in a specific format. SQL Server provides several datetime data types to store dates and times, including DATE, TIME, DATETIME, and DATETIME2.

To understand datetime format in SQL Server, you need to know the following:

• How datetime values are stored in SQL Server
• The different datetime data types in SQL Server
• The datetime format strings used in SQL Server

Let’s dive into each of these topics in detail.

Storing Datetime Values in SQL Server

Datetime values are stored as numeric data types in SQL Server. The date and time values are stored as integer values, representing the number of days and the number of ticks (increments of 3.33 milliseconds) since January 1, 1753. The datetime data type stores both date and time values, while the DATE data type stores only date values, and the TIME data type stores only time values.

Datetime Data Types in SQL Server

SQL Server provides several datetime data types to store date and time values:

Each datetime data type has its own advantages and limitations, depending on the requirements of your application.

Datetime Format Strings in SQL Server

In SQL Server, datetime format strings are used to format datetime values into a desired format. The format strings are a combination of specific characters that represent different parts of a datetime value, such as year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and millisecond. Some of the commonly used format strings in SQL Server are:

• yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss
• MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss tt
• dd MMMM yyyy
• HH:mm:ss.fff

By using these format strings, you can customize the way datetime values are displayed in your application.

How to Use Datetime Format in SQL Server

Now that you understand the basics of datetime format in SQL Server, let’s look at how to use it in your application. Here are some frequently asked questions about datetime format in SQL Server:

FAQ

Q. How do I convert a string to a datetime value in SQL Server?

A. You can use the CONVERT function in SQL Server to convert a string to a datetime value. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(DATETIME, '2021-10-01 12:30:00', 120)

In this example, the first argument of the CONVERT function specifies the target datetime data type (DATETIME), the second argument is the string to be converted, and the third argument is the datetime format string (120, which represents yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss).

Q. How do I extract the date part from a datetime value in SQL Server?

A. You can use the CONVERT function along with the DATEPART function in SQL Server to extract the date part from a datetime value. Here’s an example:

SELECT CONVERT(DATE, GETDATE())

In this example, the CONVERT function is used to convert the current datetime value (returned by the GETDATE function) to a DATE value, which contains only the date part.

Q. How do I add or subtract a certain time interval from a datetime value in SQL Server?

A. You can use the DATEADD function in SQL Server to add or subtract a time interval (such as days, hours, minutes, or seconds) from a datetime value. Here’s an example:

SELECT DATEADD(day, 7, GETDATE())

In this example, the DATEADD function is used to add 7 days to the current datetime value (returned by the GETDATE function).

Q. How do I get the current datetime value in SQL Server?

A. You can use the GETDATE function in SQL Server to get the current datetime value. Here’s an example:

SELECT GETDATE()

In this example, the GETDATE function returns the current datetime value.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a good understanding of datetime format in SQL Server. We covered the basics of how datetime values are stored, the different datetime data types in SQL Server, and the datetime format strings used in SQL Server. We also answered some frequently asked questions about datetime format in SQL Server.

Remember to use the appropriate datetime data type for your application and use the correct datetime format string to display datetime values in a desired format. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your application handles datetime values correctly and efficiently.