How to convert Year(GETDATE()) to int in SQL Server?

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06-10-2024

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Extracting the Year from GETDATE() in SQL Server: A Simple Guide

In SQL Server, the GETDATE() function returns the current date and time. However, often, we only need the year component of this value. This article will guide you through the process of extracting the year from GETDATE() and converting it to an integer in SQL Server.

Scenario: Need the Current Year as an Integer

Imagine you're building a system that requires the current year for a specific calculation. You want to use GETDATE() to get the current year, but it returns the entire date and time, not just the year.

Original code (with the problem):

SELECT GETDATE();

Output:

This code returns the current date and time, for example, 2023-10-26 14:38:05.123. We need only the year, 2023, as an integer.

Solution: Using the YEAR Function

The solution is to use the YEAR() function in SQL Server. The YEAR() function takes a date value as input and returns the year portion as an integer.

Code with Solution:

SELECT YEAR(GETDATE());

Output:

This code will return the current year as an integer, for example, 2023.

Explanation and Insights

Here's a breakdown of what's happening in the code:

• GETDATE(): This function returns the current date and time as a datetime value.
• YEAR(GETDATE()): The YEAR() function is applied to the GETDATE() output, extracting the year component as an integer.

Example Scenarios:

• Age Calculation: You can use the year extracted from GETDATE() to calculate a person's age based on their birthdate.
• Year-Based Filtering: Filter data in a table based on the current year.
• Year-Specific Reports: Generate reports that are specific to the current year.

Conclusion

Converting the year from GETDATE() to an integer is a common task in SQL Server. By utilizing the YEAR() function, you can easily extract the year component and use it for various purposes within your database queries and operations. This simple solution simplifies your code and ensures accurate handling of year-based data.

Remember: The YEAR() function works with any valid date data type, not just the output of GETDATE(). You can apply it to columns storing dates in your tables as well.