ETL: SQL Set column type

Theresa2000

Is there a way to set the column type of while you are creating the column in mysql? I have a column that I am creating based on a date (Min Cust Svc Start) and a comparison to another date (1/1/2015).  I want "Min Cust Svc Start 15" to be a datetype column; however, it is defaulting to text.  I know I can change it in alter tab but am wondering if there is a way to change it in the query below (while I am creating the field)?  Also, am looking for guidance on which is the preferred method...

 

select tc.*,
CASE
WHEN `Min Cust Svc Start` < '2015-01-01' THEN
'2015-01-01'
ELSE `Min Cust Svc Start`
END AS `Min Cust Svc Start 15`
from `transform_cust_svc` tc

AS

Definitely:

CAST(value AS type)

 

For you that would be like 

SELECT

...

CAST(`Min Cust Svc Start` as Date)

...

 

Depending on what your string data looks like you might have to do some formatting, but the CAST could be the one you want.

Also str_to_date works great.  Format as necessary.

STR_TO_DATE(tc.`Min Cust Svc Start, '%d/%m/%Y')