The GETDATE date function returns the current system date and time in the SQL Server standard internal format for DATETIME values. The syntax of the GETDATE date function is as follows:
GETDATE()
The GETDATE date function is a non-deterministic function and view and expressions that reference this column cannot be indexed.
Here are a few uses of the GETDATE date function:
Usage #1 : Log the Date and Time When a Row is Inserted in a Table
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[Users] (
[UserName] VARCHAR(10),
[FirstName] VARCHAR(50),
[LastName] VARCHAR(50),
[CreationDate] DATETIME DEFAULT ( GETDATE() )
)
INSERT INTO [dbo].[Users] ( [UserName], [FirstName], [LastName] )
VALUES ( 'sysadmin', 'System', 'Administrator' )
Usage #2 : Generate a Random Number
SELECT DATEPART(MS, GETDATE()) AS [Random Number]
Usage #3 : Generate a Random Number Within a Range
DECLARE @MinValue INT
DECLARE @MaxValue INT
SET @MinValue = 51
SET @MaxValue = 100
SELECT (DATEPART(MS, GETDATE()) % ( @MaxValue - @MinValue + 1)) + @MinValue AS [Random Number]
Usage #4 : Generate an Account Number, Reference Number or Tracking Number
-- Assuming [dbo].[Tracking] Table Contains All Existing Tracking Numbers
DECLARE @NewNumber DECIMAL(10, 0)
SELECT @NewNumber = MAX([TrackingNumber]) + 1
FROM [dbo].[Tracking]
WHERE [TrackingNumber] > YEAR(GETDATE()) * 1000000 + MONTH(GETDATE()) * 10000 + DAY(GETDATE()) * 100
IF @NewNumber IS NULL
SET @NewNumber = YEAR(GETDATE()) * 1000000 + MONTH(GETDATE()) * 10000 + DAY(GETDATE()) * 100 + 1
Usage #5 : Return a Random Number of Records
SELECT TOP (DATEPART(MS, GETDATE())) *
FROM [master].[dbo].[spt_values]
ORDER BY NEWID()