In SQL Server used Cast or Convert function to Format DateTime value or column into a specific date format.Both function are used to convert datetime to varchar or string.


CAST(expression as data_type)


Let's convert current date time to varchar

select cast(getdate() as varchar)

CONVERT function is used to change or convert the DateTime formats.By using convert function you can get only Date part or only Time part from the datetime.

CONVERT Function Syntax:

CONVERT(data_type,expression,date Format style)


Read more: http://feeds.dzone.com/~r/dzone/snippets/~3/kT9Sws-kX5Y/14351