How Can I Ensure Accurate Date Comparisons in SQLite?

Ensuring Reliable Date Comparisons within SQLite Databases

Accurate date comparisons in SQLite require careful handling to prevent inaccurate query results. Improper date formatting can lead to inconsistencies.

For instance, a query like this might produce unexpected outcomes:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT * 
FROM table_1 
WHERE mydate >= '1/1/2009' and mydate <= '12/31/2009'</code>

This is because SQLite's date interpretation depends on the input format, causing potential errors.

The most reliable method is to store dates in the YYYYMMDD format. This simplifies queries considerably:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT * 
FROM table_1 
WHERE mydate >= '20090101' and mydate <= '20091231'</code>

This approach guarantees consistent and accurate results due to SQLite's native understanding of this date format.

However, to maintain data integrity, a date parser should be implemented to convert user-supplied dates into the YYYYMMDD format before database insertion. This consistency is key for reliable future queries.

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