The DATE function

The DATE function converts a character string to a DATE value. In the following query, the DATE function converts a character string to a DATE value to allow for comparisons with DATETIME values. The query retrieves DATETIME values only when call_dtime is later than the specified DATE.

Figure 1. Query

SELECT customer_num, call_dtime, res_dtime
   FROM cust_calls
   WHERE call_dtime > DATE ('12/31/97');

Figure 2. Query result

customer_num call_dtime       res_dtime

         106 1998-06-12 08:20 1998-06-12 08:25
         110 1998-07-07 10:24 1998-07-07 10:30
         119 1998-07-01 15:00 1998-07-02 08:21
         121 1998-07-10 14:05 1998-07-10 14:06
         127 1998-07-31 14:30

The following query converts DATETIME values to DATE format and displays the values, with labels, only when call_dtime is greater than or equal to the specified date.

Figure 3. Query

SELECT customer_num,
   DATE (call_dtime) called, 
   DATE (res_dtime) resolved
   FROM cust_calls
   WHERE call_dtime >= DATE ('1/1/98');

Figure 4. Query result

customer_num called       resolved

         106 06/12/1998   06/12/1998
         110 07/07/1998   07/07/1998
         119 07/01/1998   07/02/1998
         121 07/10/1998   07/10/1998
         127 07/31/1998