SQL Server Convert String To Date

How do you convert a string representing a date into a proper date data type in SQL Server?

Converting strings to dates in SQL Server is crucial for working with date-related data. This involves using specific functions to parse the string and ensure it's recognized as a valid date format. Proper conversion avoids errors and ensures accurate date calculations.

Description

-- Create a schema named 'customers'
CREATE SCHEMA customers;

-- Use the 'customers' schema
USE customers;

-- Create a table named 'users' within the schema
CREATE TABLE users (
    user_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    first_name VARCHAR(50),
    last_name VARCHAR(50),
    email VARCHAR(100) UNIQUE,
    registration_date DATE
);

-- Create a table named 'orders' within the schema
CREATE TABLE orders (
    order_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    user_id INT,
    order_date DATE,
    FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(user_id)
);

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong date style (style number) in the CONVERT function, leading to conversion errors.
• Assuming the input string always follows a specific format without checking for variations.
• Failing to handle potential errors, such as invalid date strings, which can cause the query to fail.
• Not specifying the desired output date format, potentially leading to unexpected results.