How to use the MySQL CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() function

The CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() function in MySQL returns the current date and time as a timestamp value. It is useful for inserting records with the current timestamp.

Syntax

The syntax for CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() is:

CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
CURRENT_TIMESTAMP([fsp])

Where the optional fsp argument specifies the fractional seconds precision for the return value.

Examples

1. Insert current timestamp into a table:

   INSERT INTO logs (entry_time)
   VALUES (CURRENT_TIMESTAMP());
   

   This will insert the current date and time as the entry_time for the log.

2. Select records based on current timestamp:

   SELECT * FROM orders
   WHERE order_date > CURRENT_TIMESTAMP();
   

   This returns future orders placed after the current timestamp.

3. Update a timestamp column to current timestamp:

   UPDATE users
   SET last_login = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP()
   WHERE id = 1;
   

   This updates the last_login field to the current timestamp for the user.

4. Default a timestamp column to current timestamp:

   CREATE TABLE comments (
     id INT AUTO_INCREMENT,
     text VARCHAR(255),
     created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP()
   );
   

   This will auto-populate created_at with the current timestamp.

5. Get the current timestamp as a string:

   SELECT CAST(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() AS CHAR);
   

   This converts the current timestamp to a string representation.

Other Similar Functions

• NOW() - Current date and time
• SYSDATE() - Current date and time
• UNIX_TIMESTAMP() - Unix timestamp

So CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() provides an easy way to use the current date and time as a timestamp in MySQL.