How to Convert Numeric Month Values to Month Names in SQL Server?

SQL Server: Efficiently Converting Numeric Months to Month Names

Many database tasks involve transforming numeric month representations (1, 2, 3...) into their textual equivalents (January, February, March...). SQL Server offers a streamlined solution using the DateName function, eliminating the need for cumbersome CASE statements.

Leveraging the DateName Function

The DateName function excels at extracting specific date parts. To obtain the month name from a numeric month value, employ this concise syntax:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT DateName(month, DATEADD(month, @MonthNumber, 0) - 1)</code>

Illustrative Example:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT DateName(month, DATEADD(month, 6, 0) - 1)</code>

This query yields "July". The DATEADD function adds 6 months to a base date (implicitly 0, representing 1900-01-01), and subtracting 1 correctly positions the result to the sixth month.

An Alternate Approach:

A slightly different, equally effective method utilizes this syntax:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT DateName(month, DATEADD(month, @MonthNumber, -1))</code>

Example:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT DateName(month, DATEADD(month, 2, -1))</code>

This also returns "February," demonstrating a flexible alternative for achieving the same outcome. Both methods provide efficient and readable solutions for this common SQL task.

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