The MySQL NOW() function is a date and time function used to retrieve the current date and time from the system. It is often utilized in SQL queries to insert or update records with the current timestamp or to retrieve data based on the current date and time.

Here’s a brief overview of the MySQL NOW() function:

Syntax

NOW()

Return Type

The NOW() function returns a value of the DATETIME data type, which includes both date and time information.

Usage

Inserting current timestamp into a table:

INSERT INTO your_table (timestamp_column) VALUES (NOW());

Updating records with the current timestamp:

UPDATE your_table 
SET timestamp_column = NOW() 
WHERE condition;

Retrieving records based on the current date and time:

SELECT * FROM your_table 
WHERE timestamp_column > NOW();

Example

SELECT NOW();

Output:

2024-01-01 12:34:56

Time Zone Considerations

The NOW() function returns the current date and time in the server’s time zone.
If you need to work with a specific time zone, you may use the CONVERT_TZ function to convert the result.

Example:

SELECT CONVERT_TZ(NOW(), 'UTC', 'America/New_York');

In summary, the MySQL NOW() function is a convenient tool for working with timestamps, providing a straightforward way to obtain the current date and time. Whether you are inserting/updating records or retrieving data based on time conditions, NOW() is a valuable function in MySQL queries.