How do I convert german dates to MySQL standard dates? - mysql

Question

I'm importing a CSV file with dotted german dates into a MySQL database. I want the dates in the CSV to automatically be formatted correctly to the correct data type fields used by MySQL.
I'm using Sequel Pro for the import. I gather I'm supposed to use the STR_TO_DATE function, but I just can't wrap my head around how to use Add Value or Expression in the program.
German date
Here are the dates in the CSV file:
DD.MM.YYYY e.g.: 28.01.1978
MySQL date
Here is what I want to end up with in the database:
YYYY-MM-DD
e.g.: 1978-01-28
Here's what I've tried
I put in STR_TO_DATE('$5', '%d.%m.%Y'); into Add Value or Expression, but this only gives the following error message:
[ERROR in row 1] You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your
MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '06.04.1997'', '%d.%m.
%Y');,'2KMX','43354997')' at line 2
Any ideas?

Answer 1

You need import the date field in a varchar fields (temp_varchar_field) first, after that, you can use something like:
update table_name set final_date=STR_TO_DATE(temp_varchar_field,'%d.%m.%Y');
You should do something like:
Create a temporary field: alter table table_name add column temp_varchar_field varchar(10);
Import, using Sequel Pro, the CVS file but using the temp_varchar_field for the date.
update table_name set final_date=STR_TO_DATE(temp_varchar_field,'%d.%m.%Y');
Delete the temp field if everything was imported properly. Using: alter table_name drop column temp_varchar_field;

Answer 2

I just got it to work with this piece of SQL-code:
load data local infile 'myfile.csv' into table `mytable`
fields terminated by ','
enclosed by '"'
lines terminated by '\n'
(surname, name, #germandate, telephone, etc)
set birthyear = STR_TO_DATE(#germandate , "%d.%m.%Y")
;
The clue here being the #germandate variable which is turned into the default MySQL date by setting the respective column with STR_TO_DATE(). No hacks needed! :)

Answer 3

It is easier if your CSV import would contain a date as a MySQL string, but it can be done otherwise too:
Step 1:
Define a varchar(10) for your german dates and import the data.
Step 2:
Add another field to your table:
ALTER TABLE `yourtable`
ADD COLUMN `your_mysql_date` DATE NULL;
Step 3:
Move the data:
UPDATE yourtable
SET your_mysql_date = CONCAT(
RIGHT(your_german_date,4),
'-',
MID(your_german_date,4,2),
'-',
LEFT(your_german_date,2)
);
...done!
There might be an easier way to solve this, but this way you have alot of control over the data and the formatting.