DateTime2 vs. DateTime: Which SQL Server Data Type Should You Choose?

SQL Server date and time data type: Choice of DateTime and DateTime2

When working with date and time values ​​in SQL Server 2008 and later, the choice between datetime or datetime2 is often a confusing one. This article will explore the key differences between these two data types and provide recommendations for selection.

According to Microsoft's MSDN documentation, new projects should use datetime2 first. This recommendation is based on several factors:

• SQL standards conformance: datetime2 Complies with SQL standards, improving portability between databases.
• Higher Accuracy: datetime2 provides more precise time recording capabilities than datetime.
• Optimized storage: Depending on the precision specified, datetime2 may require less storage space.

Other features of datetime2:

• Extended date range: datetime2 supports a wider date range, from 0001-01-01 to 9999-12-31.
• Higher default decimal precision: datetime2 has a default decimal precision of 7 digits, providing more precise time measurement.
• Optional Precision Control: Users can customize the decimal precision of datetime2 values ​​to meet specific needs.

Summary:

While both datetime and datetime2 can be used to store date and time data, it is generally recommended to use datetime2 in new projects because datetime2 is SQL-compliant, has higher precision, and is more optimized for storage. However, the final choice depends on the developer's specific needs and preferences.

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