MySQL NOW() Function

Syntax of MySQL NOW() Function

The NOW() function in MySQL is useful for finding the current date and time. It is frequently used when inputting the current date and time into a table or doing time-based computations.

The syntax for the NOW() function in MySQL is straightforward. It would help to only type NOW() into your MySQL query. When performed, it will return the current date and time in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

Syntax:

If the fsp argument is given to specify a fractional seconds precision from 0 to 6, the return value includes a fractional seconds part of that many digits.

This code will run a SELECT statement and return the current date and time formatted as YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM. The NOW() function in MySQL can also be used in other SQL statements, such as INSERT and UPDATE, to insert or update the current date and time into a table.

It is important to note that the NOW() function is a non-deterministic function, meaning it will return a different result each time it is used. However, the method will always return the most recent value because the current date and time are always changing.

Aside from NOW(), MySQL provides several other date and time functions that can be utilized in various contexts. DATE(), TIME(), and TIMESTAMP() are examples. By comprehending the syntax and usage of these functions, you can enhance your MySQL queries and make them more powerful and efficient

Parameters of MySQL NOW() Function

The NOW() function in MySQL can be used in various contexts, such as capturing the timestamp of a database entry or tracking the time of a user's action. It can also be used to calculate the time difference between two events.

If the fsp argument is given to specify a fractional seconds precision from 0 to 6, the return value includes a fractional seconds part of that many digits.

Return Value of MySQL NOW() Function

The NOW() function in MySQL is a regularly used function that returns the current date and time in the 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM' format. In database systems, this function is frequently used to record the date and time when a specific event occurs, or data is inserted into a table.

The NOW() function in MySQL returns a datetime data type, which can be used for various purposes, including filtering data based on a given date or time range, sorting data in a specified order, and performing date and time calculations.

Finally, MySQL's NOW() function is a strong and adaptable function that may help you successfully modify and analyze date and time data.

Exceptions of MySQL NOW() Function

NOW() function in MySQL is a highly handy tool that returns the current date and time based on the server's system clock where the MySQL database is executing. This function can be used in various applications and scenarios, such as creating new records with timestamps, calculating durations and intervals, and generating time-based reports. Ensure your server's clock is properly configured and updated regularly to avoid this problem.

• If your server's system clock is not precise or synchronized with the network time protocol (NTP), the NOW() function will return the wrong date and time.
• Second, the NOW() function returns the date and time in the server's time zone. If you need to interact with multiple time zones, use the CONVERT_TZ() function to convert the date and time to the appropriate time zone.

Finally, the NOW() function is not deterministic, implying that its value can vary while a query is being executed, even if it is repeated. Use the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() method instead if you need a deterministic function.

To summarize, MySQL's NOW() function is a powerful tool, but be aware of its exceptions to ensure accurate results.

How does the MySQL NOW() Function Work?

The NOW() function in MySQL is a built-in function that returns the current date and time. The MySQL server generates the date and time values, which depend on the server's time zone setting. The NOW() function is widely used in SQL queries to insert the current date and time into a table column.

It is vital to notice that the NOW() function obtains the date and time from the MySQL server rather than the client machine where the SQL statement is performed. This means that if the time zone of the server changes, the date and time given by the NOW() method will also change.

The MySQL NOW() function is a strong tool for creating current date and time data for SQL queries. It is simple to use and produces consistent and accurate results, making it a crucial tool in the toolbox of any MySQL developer.

Examples

Before learning about the examples, let us create a sample table.

Here are a few examples of how the NOW() function can be used along with a MySQL table:

1. Use of NOW() in SELECT statement:

Output:

This query will display the current date and time in a separate column called 'current_time' along with the id and name of each row in the 'my_table'.

2. Use of NOW() in INSERT statement:

Output: The query will insert a new row in the 'my_table' with the name 'Mary' and the current date and time in the 'created_at' column. The output will not be displayed, but you can verify the new row by running the SELECT query on the table.

3. Use of NOW() in UPDATE statement:

Output: The query will update the 'updated_at' column of the row with id 1 in the 'my_table' with the current date and time. The output will not be displayed, but you can verify the updated row by running the SELECT query on the table.

Using the NOW() function, developers can easily work with date and time data in their MySQL databases.

See Also

Please read about other queries, functions, and clauses used in MySQL like:

• DATE()
• TIME()
• TIMESTAMP()
• SELECT
• GROUP BY
• WHERE
• COUNT()
• SUM()
• AVERAGE()
• MIN()
• MAX()