Which SQL Server function is used to get the current date and time?

The function used in SQL Server to retrieve the current date and time is GETDATE(). This function returns the current system date and time as a datetime value, which is critical for various applications that require timestamping events or logging activities in a database.

GETDATE() is a built-in function that can be used in queries and can return the date and time formatted according to the SQL Server's regional settings. It is particularly useful for timestamping records when they are created or modified.

While other databases may use functions like NOW() or CURRENT_TIMESTAMP(), in SQL Server, GETDATE() is specifically designed for this purpose, making it the appropriate choice among the options provided. It's important to understand the SQL syntax for date and time functions as they can vary between different database management systems.