Using dates, and times in SQL Server

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/*In this workbench, Salman Page provides a gentle introduction to the use of dates in SQL Server. In this new version of her article, it is brought up to date with the newer Datetime features in SQL Server 2005 and 2008. 

Using dates, and times in SQL Server: a workbench approach

This "workbench" on the use of dates and times in SQL Server is structured so it can be pasted in its entirety into the Query Analyser, SSMS or other GUI so that each example can be executed. (Opera works best for this, but the SQL file is included in the speech-bubble at the top of the article in case you hit problems) I'd like to encourage you to experiment. One never fails to come up with surprises; for example, I'd never, before writing this, considered using 'LIKE' when searching Date fields, or using the { t '2:40'} in a stored procedure as a literal date. Likewise, I always like to see as many examples as possible in any articles on SQL Server. There is nothing like it for getting ideas going. Formal descriptions are fine for those with strange extra lumps in their brains, but I'd prefer to see clear explanations peppered with examples! If I have any general advice, it is to use the strengths of the DATETIME, DATE, DATETIME2 and DATETIMEOFFSET data types and never attempt to bypass their use, by storing dates or times in any other formats such as varchars or integers. I've never come across a circumstance where such a practice has provided any lasting benefit.

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