DAYOFWEEK Function in MySQL

The DAYOFWEEK Function in MySQL is a powerful tool used to determine the day of the week for a given date. This Complete Guide will walk you through how to use the DAYOFWEEK Function, its syntax, practical examples, and applications. 

What is the DAYOFWEEK Function in MySQL?

The DAYOFWEEK Function returns an integer value representing the day of the week for a specified date. The values range from 1 to 7, where 1 represents Sunday, 2 represents Monday, and so on. This function is a valuable tool for handling date-related queries efficiently.

DAYOFWEEK Function Syntax

Here is the syntax for the DAYOFWEEK Function:

📄

DAYOFWEEK(date);

Where:

• date: The date value (in 'YYYY-MM-DD' format) from which the day of the week will be determined.

How to Use the DAYOFWEEK Function

Let's explore how to use the DAYOFWEEK Function in different scenarios.

1. Basic Example

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SELECT DAYOFWEEK('2025-03-23') AS DayOfWeek;

Output:

2. Using DAYOFWEEK with a Column

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CREATE TABLE Events (
    EventID INT,
    EventDate DATE
);

INSERT INTO Events (EventID, EventDate) VALUES
(1, '2025-03-23'),
(2, '2025-03-24'),
(3, '2025-03-25');

SELECT EventID, EventDate, DAYOFWEEK(EventDate) AS DayOfWeek
FROM Events;

Output:

Practical Applications of DAYOFWEEK Function

The DAYOFWEEK Function can be used in various real-world scenarios:

• Determining weekends or weekdays in a schedule.
• Generating reports based on specific days of the week.
• Automating date-related tasks in applications.

Benefits of Using the DAYOFWEEK Function

Using the DAYOFWEEK Function in MySQL offers several benefits:

• Simplifies queries involving date calculations.
• Improves the accuracy of scheduling and reporting tasks.
• Enhances database query efficiency.

Conclusion

The DAYOFWEEK Function in MySQL is a simple yet powerful tool for handling date-related queries. By understanding its syntax and practical applications, you can leverage it to optimize your database operations. 

FAQs

1. What does the DAYOFWEEK Function return in MySQL?

The DAYOFWEEK Function returns an integer between 1 and 7, where 1 represents Sunday and 7 represents Saturday.

2. Can I use the DAYOFWEEK Function with NULL values?

No, if the input date is NULL, the function will return NULL.

3. How can I determine if a date is a weekend using the DAYOFWEEK Function?

You can check if the return value of DAYOFWEEK(date) is 1 (Sunday) or 7 (Saturday) to identify weekends.

4. Is the DAYOFWEEK Function compatible with all MySQL versions?

Yes, the DAYOFWEEK Function is supported in all major versions of MySQL.

5. Can I use the DAYOFWEEK Function in combination with other date functions?

Yes, you can use it with other date functions like DATE_ADD and DATE_SUB for advanced date manipulations.