In SQL Server, the SMALLDATETIME data type is used to store date and time values with a lower precision compared to the DATETIME data type. The SMALLDATETIME data type has the following characteristics:
- Range: It can store date and time values from January 1, 1900, to June 6, 2079.
- Precision: It stores date and time values with a precision of one minute, meaning the seconds are set to either zero or rounded. Hence, SMALLDATETIME does not store seconds or fractions of a second.
- Storage Size: It uses 4 bytes of storage.
How to Use SMALLDATETIME:
To use the SMALLDATETIME data type in your SQL Server database, you would typically define it in a table schema. Here is an example of how to create a table with a SMALLDATETIME column:
CREATE TABLE EventSchedule (
EventID INT PRIMARY KEY,
EventName VARCHAR(100),
EventStart SMALLDATETIME,
EventEnd SMALLDATETIME
);
Inserting Values:
When inserting values into a SMALLDATETIME column, you can use the CAST, CONVERT, or simply use date and time literals in the format YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm. Here’s an example:
INSERT INTO EventSchedule (EventID, EventName, EventStart, EventEnd)
VALUES (1, 'Annual Meeting', '2023-10-15 14:00', '2023-10-15 15:30');
Querrying SMALLDATETIME Values:
You can query and manipulate SMALLDATETIME values just like any other date and time types in SQL Server:
SELECT EventName, EventStart, EventEnd
FROM EventSchedule
WHERE EventStart > '2023-10-01 00:00';
Important Notes:
1. Rounding Behavior: Be aware that when you insert or update a SMALLDATETIME value, the seconds portion of the time will be truncated. For example, 2023-10-15 14:34:45 will be stored as 2023-10-15 14:34:00.
2. Use Cases: SMALLDATETIME is suitable for scenarios where you do not require the precision of seconds, such as scheduling events that only need minute resolution.
By using SMALLDATETIME, you can efficiently manage date and time data while saving space compared to the DATETIME data type.