SQL Date Functions

SQL > SQL Date Functions

In this section, we cover common date functions seen in SQL. Different database systems have different formats for date-type data, and each RDBMS may employ different date functions, and there may also be differences in the syntax for each RDBMS even when the function call is the same. All such differences are explained in each section. Please note that we do not list all possible SQL date functions in this tutorial. Rather, the most commonly used ones are covered.

SQL date functions vary by database platform — SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle each have their own syntax. The most commonly used functions include DATEADD, DATEDIFF, DATEPART, GETDATE, SYSDATE, and EXTRACT.

Function Name	Description
DATEADD	Adds an interval to a date value in SQL Server.
DATEDIFF	Calculates the difference between two dates in MySQL and SQL Server.
DATEPART	Extracts a specific part of a date/time value in SQL Server.
GETDATE	Retrieves database time in SQL Server.
SYSDATE	Retrieves database time in Oracle and MySQL.
EXTRACT	Retrieves a certain component of a date or timestamp value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are SQL date functions the same in all databases?

No. Different database systems (MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server) use different date functions and often have different syntax for functions that share the same name. Always consult the documentation for your specific database.

What is the difference between GETDATE and SYSDATE?

GETDATE is a SQL Server function that returns the current database system date and time. SYSDATE is the equivalent used in Oracle and MySQL. Both serve the same purpose but are not interchangeable between platforms.

Which SQL function extracts a specific part of a date?

In SQL Server, DATEPART extracts a specific component (year, month, day, hour, etc.) from a date value. In Oracle and PostgreSQL, the EXTRACT function serves a similar purpose with ANSI-standard syntax.

This page was last updated on March 19, 2026.

AdBlock Detected!

Our website is made possible by displaying ads to our visitors. Please supporting us by whitelisting our website.