Adventures in Machine Learning

The Power of SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP Function

SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP Overview

In SQL Server, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP is a built-in function that returns the current date and time on the server where the SQL Server instance is running. This function can be used in any query or expression in which a DATETIME expression is required.

The primary keywords associated with this function are SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP. This function is the equivalent of the GETDATE() function in SQL Server.

The ANSI SQL equivalent of the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function is the DATETIME expression. The acceptable usage of this function is in any expression or query where a DATETIME expression is expected.

It is particularly useful in scenarios where the current date and time on the server are needed, such as calculating the age of a customer or determining the time elapsed since a record was created.

SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP Function Examples

Simple Example

To understand the use of SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function, let’s consider a simple example. Suppose you want to display the current date and time on the system.

You can use the following query:

SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

The output of this query will be displayed in this format: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.mmm.

Using as Default Value for Table Columns Example

Suppose you want to create a new table to store customer information, and you want to include a column to track the date and time that each customer record was created. You can do this by using the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function as the default value for the created_at column.

The following SQL script creates a new table called customers with four columns:

CREATE TABLE customers (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    address VARCHAR(100),
    created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
  );

When inserting data into the table, you don’t need to specify a value for the created_at column. It will automatically be set to the current date and time on the server.

INSERT INTO customers (id, name, address) VALUES (1, 'John Smith', '123 Main Street');
INSERT INTO customers (id, name, address) VALUES (2, 'Jane Doe', '456 Elm Street');

If you want to query data from the table, you can use the following query:

SELECT * FROM customers;

This will display all records from the customers table, including the created_at column.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function is a valuable tool for developers who need to work with date and time data. It can be used in any query or expression where a DATETIME expression is required, and it is particularly useful for tracking the time elapsed since a record was created or displaying the current date and time on the server.

By using CURRENT_TIMESTAMP as the default value for a column in a new table, you can simplify the process of tracking when records were created. In summary, the SQL Server CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function is a valuable tool for developers working with date and time data.

It can be used in any query or expression where a DATETIME expression is required and is particularly useful for tracking the time elapsed since a record was created or displaying the current date and time on the server. By using CURRENT_TIMESTAMP as the default value for a column in a new table, it simplifies the process of tracking when records were created.

The takeaway is that this function is essential for anyone working with SQL Server and can save time and effort in tracking data. Remembering to use this function can make a significant difference and improve overall efficiency.

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