Mysql add days to a date

sql

date-manipulation

mysql-functions

sql-queries

Add days using DATE_ADD(). Here's a quick example:

SELECT DATE_ADD('2021-03-01', INTERVAL 10 DAY);

This spits out 2021-03-11, 10 days post the date you designated.

Adding days in select queries

Need to increment a date field within a selection query? No problem!

SELECT DATE_ADD(field, INTERVAL 2 DAY) FROM your_table;

This will list all dates from your_table, but each shifted 2 days forward in time.

And neither is your data. Here's how you can update a date field for a particular row:

UPDATE your_table SET date_column = DATE_ADD(date_column, INTERVAL 2 DAY) WHERE id = 161;

This is insanely useful, because:

You can target a specific row with its ID or other distinct identifier
It's always wise to test this on a backup data set before applying it to live data; because prevention is better than cure!
If you're dealing with multiple time zones, remember to consider the effects on the dates, unless you're a fan of time travel.

DATE_ADD() doesn't suit your fancy? Got ya covered!

SELECT ADDDATE('2021-03-01', INTERVAL 10 DAY);

SELECT ADDDATE(CURDATE(), INTERVAL 10 DAY);

Mind the Clock: If your application cares about time, verify that your date manipulations don't mess with the time component.

My Spidey senses tell me you should be aware of:

Date Overflow: Adding to end of a month? MySQL handles the roll over gracefully.
Leaping Over: Yes, MySQL takes into account February 29 in leap years.
Invalid Dates: Always ensure adding days doesn't result in senseless dates like 0000-00-00.

Before we part ways, a few words of wisdom:

Syntax Matters: Make sure you type DATE_ADD(column, INTERVAL X DAY) just like that - parentheses and the INTERVAL keyword are non-negotiable!
Updates Are Serious: Double-check your WHERE clause before updating to avoid unwanted mass modifications.
Backup Is Your Friend: Always keep a backup ready. You never know when you need a time machine!