DATE AND TIME IN DB2

DB2 provides three datatypes to support date and time: Date, Time, and

Timestamp. When date and time values are to be used independently,

then the Date and Time datatypes should both be used. They will use

less space (seven rather than ten bytes) and have more formatting

options than the Timestamp datatype. However, if date and time

arithmetic must be performed together, a single Timestamp column is

easier to use than two columns for date and time are. Also, for

greater time precision, the Timestamp datatype wins. A Timestamp

column stores time to the microsecond (six decimal places) while time

only stores data to the second.

DB2 Date and Time datatypes offer more options, and care should be

taken to determine how your Date and Time columns will be used before

deciding which datatype to use. If you feel that date and time will be

needed together, then you should opt for the Timestamp datatype.