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Manipulating DateTime Strings

Hi

How do I efficiently convert a string being supplied to my SQL of the form:

"2009-07-29:13:25"

into the SQL datetime format:

"07/29/2009 1:25:00 PM" ?

My second issue:

I have been reading about UTC in the forum, and can see it is complex if dealing with different systems, ie MAC, Linux etc. But, at the end of the day, if I am just using Windows XP with SQL 2005 Server Express, is it true to say that the UTC datetime in SQL will be the same as the UTC datetime in another application on the same computer?

In other words: for the above datetime will the UTC value be the same regardless of the software application using it - ie. so long as I convert the datetime to a UTC value this will then be 'portable', at least on the same PC?

RiteshShah

if you have not mistaken in giving date than look at this one

declare @str varchar(50)
set @str='2009-07-29 13:25'
 
select convert(varchar(50),CONVERT(datetime,@str,120),22)

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RiteshShah

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RiteshShah

>>I have been reading about UTC in the forum, and can see it is complex if dealing with different systems, ie MAC, Linux etc. But, at the end of the day, if I am just using Windows XP with SQL 2005 Server Express, is it true to say that the UTC datetime in SQL will be the same as the UTC datetime in another application on the same computer?<<

I guess in same computer, it will remain same.

silchester

ASKER

Incredible! Fantastic, after thinking I was going to have to get another app to manipulate it all etc etc. Good one.

Am just having trouble using it in a computed column for a table:

convert(varchar(50),CONVERT(datetime,left([DATETIME TO CONVERT],10)+' '+right([DATETIME TO CONVERT,5),120),22)

Or am I going to have to put this into an after insert trigger?

Cheers

silchester

ASKER

PS. Can I be cheeky and ask if there is a function that wil then take this converted datetime and give me the UTC value ?

Thanks

RiteshShah

well you can put it in trigger for sure but don't understand what you want to say by "Computed Column for a table" can you please elaborate more?

silchester

ASKER

Well, in the SQL 2005 table designer a column can be made a 'computer column' by putting a formula into its column properties. So, I tried inserting the convert code into it, but it does not like it - so i guess it does not see this code line as a 'formula'.

I have just tired it in a trigger, and it works. I just thought that the computed column would have been a neater way of automatically filling in a colum with the converted value (another column is holding the unconverted value).

RiteshShah

first computed column is not a physical column and it used to compute the value as and when demanded so directly insert in computed column will not be possible.

silchester

ASKER

Thanks Ritesh - really helped me there.