Sql query to select dates between two dates

Getting granular: Time and date range in SQL

Controlling time and managing midnight

When working with date columns that contain time information, be specific. Define time in your date strings to avoid accidental assumptions of midnight (00:00:00).

/* Select all events on Jan 1st and Jan 2nd, even those happening at 11:59:59 PM */
SELECT * FROM events 
WHERE event_datetime BETWEEN '2023-01-01 00:00:00' AND '2023-01-02 23:59:59.999';
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Beyond BETWEEN: Greater and lesser comparisons

If you want absolute clarity in your date range boundary, go old-school: use >= and <.

/* Selects data with event_datetime up till 31 Dec 2023, 
but not from the Cinderella hour of 1st Jan 2024 */
SELECT * FROM events 
WHERE event_datetime >= '2023-01-01' AND event_datetime < '2024-01-01';
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Keeping date type consistent

Ensure that your column and date formats align perfectly like code-writing lovebirds. If not, CAST a spell to convert the column.

/* Convert column to datetime like a SQL wizard */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE CAST(event_date AS DATETIME) BETWEEN '2023-01-01' AND '2023-12-31';
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Reserved words triggering syntax errors

Like the VIP guests at a party, SQL reserved words need the special treatment of brackets. Always use them if your column name is a reserved word, like [Date].

/* Showing some special treatment for [Date] */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE [Date] BETWEEN '2023-01-01' AND '2023-12-31';
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Delving deeper: Advanced date range selections

Coping with the end date

Flexible dates can sometimes cause confusion. To include the entire end date in your query results, call upon the magical DATEADD function.

/* Extending the end date till the midnight of Jan 3rd, because why not */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE event_date >= '2023-01-01' 
AND event_date < DATEADD(day, 1, '2023-01-02');
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One day journey: Single-day queries

When your journey only spans a single day, set the lower limit to the start of the day and the upper limit to the end of the day.

/* Fetching data for Jan 1st 2023, because that's my SQL New Year resolution */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE event_date >= '2023-01-01'
AND event_date < '2023-01-02';
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Maintaining consistent date format

Avoid dating errors by opting for a consistent date format. 'YYYY-MM-DD' is a safe and popular choice.

/* Keeping the format consistent like a disciplined coder. */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE event_date BETWEEN '2023-01-01' AND '2023-12-31';
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Problem-solving: Troubleshooting challenges in querying dates

Keeping track of time zones

When dealing with disparate time zones, ensure your date values are uniform, for example, convert to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time):

/* Converting to UTC because time zones can't keep their times to themselves */
SELECT * FROM events
WHERE CONVERT(datetime, event_date AT TIME ZONE 'Eastern Standard Time') BETWEEN '2023-01-01' AND '2023-12-31';
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Handle those leap seconds

When dealing with extreme time-sensitive data, pay attention to leap seconds. Your SQL environment might offer special methods or functions to handle these tiny time thieves.

Dealing with historical inaccuracy

For historical dates, remember that calendars have evolved (Julian to Gregorian). Safety check: Does your SQL database handle these calendrical curve balls correctly?