timestampdiff function

Applies to: check marked yes Databricks SQL check marked yes Databricks Runtime 10.4 LTS and above

Returns the difference between two timestamps measured in units.

Syntax 

timestampdiff(unit, start, end)

unit
 { MICROSECOND |
   MILLISECOND |
   SECOND |
   MINUTE |
   HOUR |
   DAY |
   WEEK |
   MONTH |
   QUARTER |
   YEAR }

Arguments

  • unit: A unit of measure.

  • start: A starting TIMESTAMP expression.

  • end: An ending TIMESTAMP expression.

Returns

A BIGINT.

If start is greater than end the result is negative.

The function counts whole elapsed units based on UTC with a DAY being 86400 seconds.

One month is considered elapsed when the calendar month has increased and the calendar day and time is equal or greater to the start. Weeks, quarters, and years follow from that.

Examples 

-- One second shy of a month elapsed
> SELECT timestampdiff(MONTH, TIMESTAMP'2021-02-28 12:00:00', TIMESTAMP'2021-03-28 11:59:59');
 0

-- One month has passed even though its' not end of the month yet because day and time line up.
> SELECT timestampdiff(MONTH, TIMESTAMP'2021-02-28 12:00:00', TIMESTAMP'2021-03-28 12:00:00');
 1

-- Start is greater than the end
> SELECT timestampdiff(YEAR, DATE'2021-01-01', DATE'1900-03-28');
 -120