SQL Date Between

Galaxy Glossary

How do you filter data based on a date range in SQL?

The `BETWEEN` operator in SQL allows you to efficiently select rows where a date column falls within a specified range. It's a crucial tool for querying historical data and performing date-based analysis.
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Description

The `BETWEEN` operator in SQL is a powerful tool for filtering data based on a date range. Instead of using separate comparison operators like `>=` and `<=`, `BETWEEN` concisely specifies the start and end of the desired date range. This makes your queries more readable and maintainable. It's particularly useful when you need to select records that fall within a particular period, such as all orders placed in a specific month or all customer accounts created during a given year. Using `BETWEEN` directly with date columns avoids potential errors that can arise from using multiple comparison operators. This operator is highly efficient for database queries, as the database can optimize the search based on the specified date range. It's a fundamental concept for working with temporal data in SQL.

Why SQL Date Between is important

The `BETWEEN` operator is essential for filtering data based on date ranges, a common task in many applications. It improves query readability and efficiency, making your SQL code easier to understand and maintain. It's a fundamental skill for any SQL developer working with time-sensitive data.

Example Usage


CREATE FUNCTION calculate_age(
    birthdate DATE
)
RETURNS INT
DETERMINISTIC
BEGIN
    DECLARE age INT;
    SET age = YEAR(CURDATE()) - YEAR(birthdate);
    IF DAYOFYEAR(CURDATE()) < DAYOFYEAR(birthdate)
    THEN
        SET age = age - 1;
    END IF;
    RETURN age;
END;

-- Example usage
SELECT calculate_age('1995-03-15') AS age;
-- Output: 28

Common Mistakes

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