Difference between FloatToStr(Now) in Delphi and Cast(GETDATE() as float) in SQL Server

Question

Why is there a difference between the conversion of a date in Delphi and SQL Server with these commands:

SQL Server :

SELECT CAST(GETDATE() AS FLOAT)

Delphi :

writeln(floattostr(now));

Example: For today

SQL Server = 40871.431264506 
Delphi     = 40873.4333729861

Why are the two results different?

Can you show the different results you are getting? Is there a specific problem you're having? The context may make it easier for someone to help you out. — Josh Darnell, Nov 26 '11 at 06:11
for to day: (SQL Server) Select Cast(GetDate() as Float) : 40871.431264506 (Delphi) Writeln(FloatToStr(Now)); : 40873.4333729861 — Mohamad, Nov 26 '11 at 06:51
I've added the example to your question for the sake of readability. — Josh Darnell, Nov 26 '11 at 07:54

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

4

Because many languages have different ways of dealing with dates internally. They may or may not store them internally as a float, and may also start counting at different "starting" dates. For instance, Delphi starts at 12/30/1899 (a TDateTime of 0).

Difference between FloatToStr(Now) in Delphi and Cast(GETDATE() as float) in SQL Server

1 Answers1