SQL Date Functions

Galaxy Glossary

How can I manipulate and extract information from date and time values in SQL?

SQL provides various functions to work with dates and times. These functions allow you to extract parts of a date, compare dates, calculate differences between dates, and format dates for display. Mastering these functions is crucial for querying and managing data involving time-sensitive information.

Sign up for the latest in SQL knowledge from the Galaxy Team!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Description

Date and time functions are essential for working with temporal data in SQL databases. They enable you to extract specific date components (year, month, day), compare dates, calculate time differences, and format dates for display in a user-friendly way. These functions are vital for tasks like reporting, data analysis, and tracking events over time. For instance, you might need to find all orders placed in a specific month, calculate the duration of a project, or display dates in a particular format. Understanding these functions empowers you to effectively query and manage data involving time-sensitive information. Knowing how to use these functions efficiently can significantly improve the performance and accuracy of your SQL queries.

Why SQL Date Functions is important

Date functions are crucial for filtering, sorting, and analyzing data related to time. They are essential for tasks like reporting, data analysis, and tracking events over time. Efficient use of these functions leads to more accurate and insightful queries.

SQL Date Functions Example Usage


CREATE SCHEMA IF NOT EXISTS public_data;

-- Check if the schema exists
SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM information_schema.schemata WHERE schema_name = 'public_data');

-- Create a table within the schema
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS public_data.customers (
    customer_id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    first_name VARCHAR(50),
    last_name VARCHAR(50),
    email VARCHAR(100)
);

-- Insert some data into the table
INSERT INTO public_data.customers (first_name, last_name, email)
VALUES ('John', 'Doe', 'john.doe@example.com'),
       ('Jane', 'Smith', 'jane.smith@example.com');

-- Query the table
SELECT * FROM public_data.customers;

Common Mistakes

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

With Cte In SQL

Common Table Expressions (CTEs) are temporary, named result sets defined within a single SQL statement. They enhance query readability and reusability by breaking down complex queries into smaller, manageable parts.

Where Vs Having SQL

WHERE and HAVING are both used for filtering data in SQL, but they operate on different levels. WHERE filters rows before any aggregation, while HAVING filters groups after aggregation.

Windows Functions In SQL

Window functions in SQL perform calculations over a set of rows related to the current row, unlike aggregate functions which summarize data across all rows. They are powerful tools for analyzing data within a specific context.

Company
BlogFeaturesPricingAboutCareersFeature Requests
Resources
DocsSupportSecurityBrand Kit
Explore
Product TourData Job BoardRecruitersConsultantsStartup ToolsMemes
Learn
Learn SQLBeginner ResourcesData ToolsSQL Interview PrepCommon ErrorsSQL OptimizationSQL In Other LanguagesGlossary
Comparisons
DatagripTablePlusDBeaverBeekeeper StudiopgAdminPosticoCursor
HexBrieferPopSQLSherloqBlazeSQLSweep AIWaii AIOuterbase
© 2025 Galaxy Software Inc.
hello@getgalaxy.io
Reddit IconProduct Hunt IconTwitter / X IconLinkedIn Icon