How to Get the Current System Time using SOQL

Question

For tests proposes, I need to get the current system date. On Oracle we could use:

SELECT SYSDATE FROM DUAL

On SQL SERVER, we can use:

SELECT GETDATE() AS CurrentDateTime

How to query the system date time using SOQL?

Thanks.

Question title does not match accepted answer. I want to know the SOQL way too, not the APEX. — Ray Cheng, Jun 18 at 18:25
Hi @RayCheng, I just posted another answer that might give you another option. — Matheus Goncalves, Jun 19 at 19:18

Chris Duncombe · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-10 18:34:05Z

8

You don't need to use SOQL. You can just create a new DateTime and set it to the current date and time like below

DateTime myDateTime = system.now();

Or if you only want the date, then

Date myDate = system.today();

answered Feb 10 '15 at 18:34

Chris Duncombe

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4

More specifically, SOQL is not SQL. You can't create tables, add indexes, update rows, ad hoc functions, nothing. It's strictly for getting data. I wish the documentation would come right out and say that. – sfdcfox Feb 10 '15 at 18:46

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Peter Knolle · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-10 18:38:27Z

4

Alternatively, there is a method System.currentTimeMillis() that returns the current time in milliseconds.

From that, you can create a new DateTime with the DateTime.newInstance(Long) method:

Long longtime = System.currenTimeMillis();
DateTime dt = DateTime.newInstance(longtime);

answered Feb 10 '15 at 18:38

Peter Knolle

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One of those rare times on the SFSE where there are actually two completely different answers. ;) I prefer and use your method. This is just another way. – Peter Knolle Feb 10 '15 at 23:32
I use my way more often as well, but I think knowing multiple ways to do things is always helpful. I wasn't aware you could do it this way, love learning new things. Everyday is a school day ;) – Chris Duncombe Feb 10 '15 at 23:39

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Matheus Goncalves · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-19 19:17:02Z

If you cannot use Apex, and need to use SOQL only, then binding is not allowed. Which means you cannot use system.now();

With that in mind, you can use Date Literals, such as YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW, and so on.

Eg:

SELECT CreatedDate FROM Account WHERE CreatedDate <= TODAY
SELECT CreatedDate FROM Account WHERE CreatedDate <= YESTERDAY

3 Answers 3