TIMESTAMP records the exact moment an event occurs. Database systems typically convert its time zone automatically, making the value consistent across locations. section 4.8
Choose the temporal type that matches the information you need:
- Use DATE for a date without a time, such as a birthday. section 4.8
- Use TIME for a time without a date, such as 14:30:00. section 4.8
- Use DATETIME when date and time should remain unadjusted, including historical or future events. section 4.8
- Use TIMESTAMP for log events, record creation, and modification times that must remain consistent across time zones. section 4.8
Review timestamps
A review entity can use TIMESTAMP for its review_time attribute when the application must record the exact event moment. For globally used applications, storing values in UTC helps avoid inconsistencies caused by time zones, daylight saving changes, and traveling users. section 4.8
