How can PHP developers utilize SQL functions like EXTRACT() and SUBDATE() for time calculations instead of manual calculations?

When PHP developers need to perform time calculations in SQL, they can utilize functions like EXTRACT() and SUBDATE() instead of manually calculating dates and times. These functions allow for easier and more efficient manipulation of dates and times directly within SQL queries, reducing the need for complex PHP code. 

// Example of using SQL functions for time calculations
$query = "SELECT id, name, EXTRACT(YEAR FROM hire_date) AS hire_year, SUBDATE(CURDATE(), INTERVAL 30 DAY) AS thirty_days_ago FROM employees";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

// Loop through the results
while($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    echo "Employee: " . $row['name'] . " - Hired in year: " . $row['hire_year'] . " - Thirty days ago: " . $row['thirty_days_ago'] . "<br>";
}

Keywords

PHP SQL functions EXTRACT() SUBDATE() time calculations

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