The method of getting the current date and time in SQL varies from database system to database system, but is implemented through built-in functions. 1. MySQL uses NOW(), CURRENT_TIMESTAMP (including date and time), CURDATE() (date only), CURTIME() (time only); 2. PostgreSQL uses NOW() or CURRENT_TIMESTAMP (with time zone information), LOCALTIMESTAMP (without time zone); 3. SQL Server uses GETDATE() (local time), SYSDATETIME() (higher precision), GETUTCDATE() (UTC time); 4. Oracle Use SYSDATE (date and time), SYSTIMESTAMP (with exact timestamps for time zones), and output can be formatted via TO_CHAR. Pay attention to time zone processing and formatting when using it to avoid deviations.

Getting the current date and time in SQL is a common requirement, such as recording the data insertion time, doing time range filtering, etc. Different database systems support this function slightly differently, but it can basically be implemented.

Here are some common methods to get the current date and time in a database, as well as precautions when using it.

Get the current time in MySQL

MySQL provides several functions to get the current time:

• NOW() : Returns the current date and time, the format is YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
• CURRENT_TIMESTAMP : The effect is similar to NOW()
• CURDATE() : Return only the date part
• CURTIME() : Return only the time part

Example:

 SELECT NOW(); -- The output is similar to 2025-04-05 14:30:00

Tip: NOW() is the most commonly used method, but if used in stored procedures, be careful that it will not change in the same transaction.

PostgreSQL Get the current time

The PostgreSQL method is also quite straightforward:

• NOW() : Returns the complete date and time with time zone information
• CURRENT_TIMESTAMP : The same effect as NOW()
• If you just want to get time without time zone, you can use LOCALTIMESTAMP

Example:

 SELECT NOW(); -- The output is similar to 2025-04-05 14:30:00.123456 08

Note: PostgreSQL timestamps will contain time zone information by default. If you need a specific format or time zone, you may also need to use it with AT TIME ZONE .

SQL Server Gets the current time

There are two commonly used functions in SQL Server:

• GETDATE() : Returns the current system time (local time)
• SYSDATETIME() : Higher precision, returns more millisecond digits
• GETUTCDATE() : Returns UTC time

Example:

 SELECT GETDATE(); -- The output is similar to 2025-04-05 14:30:00.123

Difference: If your application spans multiple time zones, it is recommended to use GETUTCDATE() to store unified time, and then convert it to the user's time zone when reading.

Get the current time in Oracle

Oracle uses slightly different syntax:

• SYSDATE : Returns the current date and time of the database server
• SYSTIMESTAMP : Contains more precise timestamps, including time zones

Example:

 SELECT SYSDATE FROM dual; -- Output similar to 05-APR-25

Note: Oracle's default display format may be relatively simple. If you need a complete time format, you can convert it with TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS') .

Basically these are the methods. Although the syntax of each database system is different, the logic is similar, and the current time is obtained through built-in functions. Pay attention to time zone processing and formatting output when using it to avoid deviations.

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