SQL convert date to string

In SQL Server, converting a date to a string involves using the CONVERT or FORMAT functions. These functions allow you to customize the output format of the date according to your requirements.

Example

Here is an example using the CONVERT function:

DECLARE @DateValue AS DATETIME = GETDATE()

-- Using CONVERT with style code
SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR, @DateValue, 101) AS ConvertedDate

In this example, GETDATE gets the current date and time, and CONVERT(VARCHAR, @DateValue, 101) converts it to a string in the format ‘mm/dd/yyyy’. The third parameter, 101, is the style code that defines the output format. You can use different style codes to get different date formats.

Alternatively, you can use the FORMAT function, which provides more flexibility in specifying the desired format:

DECLARE @DateValue AS DATETIME = GETDATE()

-- Using FORMAT function
SELECT FORMAT(@DateValue, 'MM/dd/yyyy') AS ConvertedDate

In this example, FORMAT(@DateValue, ‘MM/dd/yyyy’) formats the date as ‘mm/dd/yyyy’. You can customize the format string according to your specific needs. The FORMAT function allows for a wide range of format options, including date and time components.

It’s important to note that while the FORMAT function provides more flexibility, it may have a performance impact, especially when dealing with large datasets. In such cases, the CONVERT function is often preferred for its efficiency.

Choose the method that best fits your requirements and consider performance implications, especially in scenarios where large amounts of data need to be processed.