How Can I Convert Strings to Datetimes in SQL Server?

Converting Strings to Datetimes in SQL Server

In Microsoft SQL Server, converting a string to a datetime value requires the use of the CONVERT() or CAST() functions. Unlike other databases where arbitrary string formats can be converted, SQL Server expects a specific date format to be followed.

Controlling the String Format

When updating a datetime field with a date string, it's crucial to adhere to the following format:

'YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss'

Where:

• YYYY represents the year in four digits.
• MM represents the month as a two-digit number (e.g., 01 for January).
• DD represents the day of the month as a two-digit number (e.g., 01 for the first day).
• HH represents the hour (24-hour format).
• mm represents the minutes.
• ss represents the seconds.

SQL Syntax for Converting and Updating

To update a datetime field named MyDate in the table MyTable using a date string, the following syntax can be used:

UPDATE MyTable SET MyDate = CONVERT(datetime, '2009-07-16 08:28:01')

In this example, the string '2009-07-16 08:28:01' conforms to the required date format and will be converted to the corresponding datetime value for the MyDate field.

Additional Considerations

For more detailed information on converting and casting data types, including various date formatting options, refer to the Microsoft documentation at:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/functions/cast-and-convert-transact-sql

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