Re: SQL question from an absolute SQL newbie

On 8/31/2011 9:02 PM, Pete Hall wrote:

It really doesn't take much work to create a calendar file consisting of a real date and the CCYYMMDD equivalent (and whatever other date variants you need.) A program to load the calendar data is pretty simple. I can provide an example if you're interested. Calendar files are very useful for joining dissimilar date representation types.

A really good general suggestion. Calendars also provide support for holidays and such that you just can't get otherwise.

You might also use an SQL function, or a host variable to provide the CCYYMMDD date, since the date is in the where clause, and not the result table.

If nothing else, I think this general concept which Chuck has been hammering at can be taken away: when comparing dissimilar types that require a conversion, try to put the conversion in the where clause and not on the result column. That lets SQL do more optimization than it would otherwise be able to do.

Joe