Rails where date is greater than given date query

Time zones for more accurate date comparison

When operating with dates, Time.zone.now replaces DateTime.now for consistency in Rails application time zone settings:

# Earth to Mars, we're only gathering future events. Over.
Event.where("start_time > ?", Time.zone.now)
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Ranging across dates

Use Ruby's range syntax for grabbing records between two dates:

# Return of Users: Revenge of the Last 3 days!
User.where(created_at: 3.days.ago..Time.zone.now)
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You can also generate an open-ended query by providing just the beginning of the range:

# Catching all products that stumbled into 2023 and beyond!
Product.where("released_at >= ?", Date.new(2023,1,1)..)
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Inclusive date comparisons

Sometimes, you want to compare dates inclusively. Switch out > for >= in those cases:

# Lights, camera, action! Or, well, today's movies at least.
Movie.where("release_date >= ?", Time.zone.today)
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Ensure your SQL syntax is Jurassic-Park-proof (as in, no raptors sneaking in through faulty gaps):

# Incorrect: Somewhere a semicolon is sobbing
User.where("signup > ? ", Date.today)

# Correct: The signup > date raptor cage is secure!
User.where("signup > ?", Date.today)
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Real-World scenarios (your mileage may vary)

Tackling Time Zone Monsters

For applications fighting off time zone monsters across different regions, store timestamps in UTC and heroically convert them to the users' local time when displaying:

# Because meeting aliens at local Earth time is just polite
Meeting.where("start_time > ?", Time.now.utc)
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The correct path toward TimeWithZone success

Grab the current time in a set time zone:

# "What time zone is it in Narnia again?" asked no Rails developer ever
Schedule.where("start_time > ?", Time.zone.now)
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Rails version supremacy

For the more recent Rails 5.1 and onwards, using named placeholders enhances readability and maintenance:

# Working smarter, not harder - they're the articles from yesterday, not today!
Article.where("published_at > :date", date: Date.yesterday)
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Caveats and Solutions

The Dreaded Daylight Saving Time

When DST wreaks havoc on your app, use Rails to your advantage:

# Almost as good as a DST repellent!
Event.where("start_time > ?", Time.zone.now.beginning_of_day)
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A Database Full of Time Zone assumption is a Database Full of Despair!

Don't be fooled — databases may not use the same time zone as Rails. Use time zone aware attributes for safety:

# Safe, secure, and keeps those "why is this an hour off?" headaches away
Appointment.where("start_time > ?", Time.zone.now)
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Consistency (is key!) in time zone usage

Keep your time zones consistent. Mixing Time.zone.now and DateTime.now is like ordering a pineapple pizza - some people (or your code) really might not like it.