# SYSDATE Equivalent in PostgreSQL

> In PostgreSQL, there is no SYSDATE function. However, PostgreSQL provides different functions that are equivalent to the SYSDATE function.

In ORACLE, **SYSDATE** is an in-built function that retrieves the system’s(on which the database is running) date and time. When it comes to PostgreSQL, there is no **SYSDATE** function. However, PostgreSQL offers some other functions that perform the same functionality. For instance, **NOW(), CURRENT_DATE, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,** etc., are used in Postgres for retrieving the system’s current date and time.

This blog post will explain the SYSDATE equivalent functions in Postgres using suitable examples. So, let’s begin.

 **SYSDATE Equivalent in PostgreSQL**

Here are some frequently used Postgres functions that offer the same functionality as ORACLE’s **SYSDATE** function:

\- The **NOW(), CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, TIMEOFDAY(), and CLOCK_TIMESTAMP()** function retrieve the system’s date, time, and timezone.  
\- In Postgres, the **LOCALTIMESTAMP** function provides the system’s date and time without a timezone.  
\- The **LOCALTIME** function returns only time without any timezone.  
\- The **CURRENT_TIME** retrieves the current/system time with the timezone.  
\- The **CURRENT_DATE** function retrieves only the system’s date.

Let’s implement each of the functions mentioned above practically to get more clarity about the SYSDATE equivalent in Postgres.

 **Example 1: How to Get System Date and Time Using NOW() Function in Postgres?**

Execute the NOW() function without passing any argument to it:
    
    
    SELECT NOW();

The output proves that the NOW() function retrieves the system’s date, time, and time zone.

 **Example 2: How to Get System Date and Time Using CURRENT_TIMESTAMP Function in**

 **Postgres?**

Run the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function with the help of the SELECT statement to get the system’s date and time:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

The above snippet shows that the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function retrieves the system’s date, time, and time zone.

 **Example 3: How to Get System Date and Time Using TIMEOFDAY() Function in Postgres?**

In Postgres, executing the TIMEOFDAY() function retrieves the system’s date and time:
    
    
    SELECT TIMEOFDAY();

The output snippet authenticates that the TIMEOFDAY() function retrieves the current/system date, day, time, and time zone.

 **Example 4: How to Get System Date and Time Using CLOCK_TIMESTAMP() Function in Postgres?**

The CLOCK_TIMESTAMP() can also be used as the SYSDATE equivalent:
    
    
    SELECT CLOCK_TIMESTAMP();

The output proves that the CLOCK_TIMESTAMP() function returns the system’s date, time, and time zone.

 **Example 5: How to Get System Date and Time Using LOCALTIMESTAMP Function in Postgres?**

The LOCALTIMESTAMP can also be used to get the system’s date and time, but it doesn’t retrieve the time zone:
    
    
    SELECT LOCALTIMESTAMP;

The above snippet shows that the LOCALTIMESTAMP function returns the system’s current date and time.

 **Example 6: How to Get System Time Using LOCALTIME Function in Postgres?**

In Postgres, use the LOCALTIME function to get only the system’s time without date and time zone:
    
    
    SELECT LOCALTIME;

As can be seen from the output, the LOCALTIME function retrieves the system’s time.

 **Example 7: How to Get System Time Using CURRENT_TIME Function in Postgres?**

Executing the below line of code will retrieve the system’s time with the time zone:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_TIME;

The above snippet validates the working of the CURRENT_TIME function.

 **Example 8: How to Get System Date Using CURRENT_DATE Function in Postgres?**

To get only the system date without time and time zone, use the CURRENT_DATE function:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_DATE;

This is how the CURRENT_DATE function works in Postgres.

 **Conclusion**

In PostgreSQL, there is no SYSDATE function. However, PostgreSQL provides different functions that are equivalent to the SYSDATE function. For instance, the NOW() function, CLOCK_TIMESTAMP function, etc. This blog post has covered various SYSDATE equivalent functions in PostgreSQL using practical examples.

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