Understanding the Current Date and Time in SQL Server: Demystifying CURRENT_TIMESTAMP and GETDATE()

Similarities:

• Both CURRENT_TIMESTAMP and GETDATE() return the current date and time as a datetime data type.
• They retrieve this value from the underlying operating system of the server without any arguments.

Example:

SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP AS Current_Time, GETDATE() AS Server_Time;

This code snippet will display two columns: Current_Time and Server_Time. Both will hold the exact same date and time, reflecting the moment the query is executed.

1. Standardization:

   • CURRENT_TIMESTAMP is part of the ANSI SQL standard, meaning it's recognized by most compliant database systems.
   • GETDATE() is specific to Transact-SQL (T-SQL), the dialect used in SQL Server. While widely used within its ecosystem, it's not universally recognized.

2. Advanced Usage:

SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP AT TIME ZONE 'PST' AS PST_Time;

This code snippet will display the current date and time in Pacific Standard Time (PST).

For portability and standardization, using CURRENT_TIMESTAMP is generally recommended. It ensures your code functions seamlessly across different database systems adhering to the ANSI SQL standard.

However, there are a few specific scenarios where GETDATE() might be preferred:

• Legacy code: If you're working with existing T-SQL codebases heavily reliant on GETDATE(), modifying everything to CURRENT_TIMESTAMP might not be feasible.
• Specific functionalities: While rare, situations where you need the AT TIME ZONE clause with GETDATE() might exist, although alternative approaches using CURRENT_TIMESTAMP and system functions are often possible.