How do I get just the date when using MSSQL GetDate()?

Beyond basic: Efficient and versatile methods for date extraction

Taking the simple answer a step further, here's a deep dive into varied strategies tailored to fit different situations:

Set time to midnight: Get date with uniformity

In case you care for comparisons, it's good practice to normalize the time to midnight:

-- Time traveling to the start of the day
SELECT DATEADD(day, DATEDIFF(day, 0, GETDATE()), 0)
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Clever use of DATEADD and DATEDIFF strips off the time, providing a solid daily comparison basis.

Conversion wonders: The power of SQL CONVERT()

For transforming date and time data to different formats, CONVERT is your comrade:

-- Tailoring the output for the date enthusiast
SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(10), GETDATE(), 101)
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**Single statement, ** multiple benefits! With format 101, return dates in the handy 'MM/DD/YYYY' format. Consider your diverse user locales — they'll thank you later.

New SQL, new functions: Using FORMAT()

If you are sailing the SQL Server 2012-or-newer boat, light the way with FORMAT function:

-- When you want the date to dress in a 'yyyy-MM-dd' suit
SELECT FORMAT(GETDATE(), 'yyyy-MM-dd') AS FormattedDate
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Such sleek customization does demand a trade-off against efficiency though. Worth a recall if speed becomes a concern!

Breaking down precision extraction in MSSQL: No more datetime dilemmas

SQL Server's approach to handling date and time can be intricate. Here’s an analysis of extracting dates with the precision you need:

VARCHARizing: Conversion feats and caution

When output requirements demand VARCHAR, use CONVERT smartly:

-- Classy 'YYYY-MM-DD', straight out of SQL recipe
SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(10), GETDATE(), 120)
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Notice the subtle impact of regional settings, maintain accuracy, and prevent confusion by adhering to standard formats.

Systems and Specialities: Built-in date extraction functions

Different databases bring different built-in toys. For instance, MySQL prefers DATE():

--MySQL style!
SELECT DATE(column_name) FROM table_name;
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Soak in your database documentation for system-specific date extraction best practices.

Across time-zones: UTC and consistency

If your app plays on global stage, UTC conversions are crucial before extracting date:

-- Embracing geographical diversity
SELECT CAST(SWITCHOFFSET(CONVERT(datetimeoffset, GETDATE()), '+00:00') AS DATE)
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Schema impact: Decoding date-time querying

Comprehend your schema's design for effective date and time data extraction. Sometimes, date and time live in separate fields, complicating precise data operations.