So, you want to know how to get the current date in SQL? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive deep into the world of dates in SQL and explore how to retrieve the current date.
The CURRENT_DATE Function
In SQL, the CURRENT_DATE function is used to fetch the current date from the database server. This function returns the current date in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
For example, if you want to retrieve the current date in an SQL query, you can use the following syntax:
SELECT CURRENT_DATE;
When you execute this query, the result will be the current date.
Using the GETDATE() Function
Now, if you’re working with Microsoft SQL Server, there is a different function you can use to get the current date. The GETDATE() function is specific to SQL Server and returns the current system date and time.
To use the GETDATE() function, you can simply include it in your SQL query, like this:
SELECT GETDATE();
When you run this query, you will get the current date and time.
Getting the Current Date in Different Formats
SQL provides various functions to retrieve the current date in different formats. Here are a few examples:
SELECT DATE_FORMAT(CURRENT_DATE, '%d-%m-%Y');– This query will return the current date in the format DD-MM-YYYY.SELECT TO_CHAR(CURRENT_DATE, 'YYYY/MM/DD');– This query will return the current date in the format YYYY/MM/DD.
You can customize the format according to your requirements using appropriate format specifiers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, retrieving the current date in SQL is quite straightforward. You can use the CURRENT_DATE function for most database systems, while the GETDATE() function is specific to Microsoft SQL Server.
By utilizing these functions, you can easily fetch the current date in various formats. Whether you need the date in the standard YYYY-MM-DD format or in a custom format, SQL has got you covered.
Now that you have a good understanding of how to get the current date in SQL, go ahead and use this knowledge in your SQL queries to manipulate and analyze your data effectively!