How Can I Compare DATETIME Values in SQL Server by Ignoring the Time Component?

Comparing DATETIME and DATE Values by Ignoring Time Components

Comparing DATETIME values solely based on their date components necessitates removing the time portion from consideration. This technique is particularly useful when dealing with data where time information is irrelevant.

In SQL Server 2008 and later, the CAST function serves as a powerful tool for accomplishing this task. By casting a DATETIME2(0) column to the DATE data type, you can effectively discard the time elements of the value. This allows for comparisons based solely on the date portion (day, month, and year).

For instance, consider the following code snippet:

IF CAST(DateField1 AS DATE) = CAST(DateField2 AS DATE)

In this code, DateField1 and DateField2 are columns of type DATETIME2(0). By casting both columns to the DATE data type using the CAST function, we ensure that the comparison is made only on the date components, ignoring the time information. If the dates match, the IF statement will evaluate to true.

Employing this approach enables you to perform comparisons between dates stored as DATETIME2 without factoring in the time component. This technique proves valuable when working with datasets where date information takes precedence over time information.

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