CreateDate

CreateDate is a term used to describe a field or attribute that records the date (and often the time) when a data item was created. In database schemas, a CreateDate field is typically implemented as a column named create_date or created_at to store the moment a row was inserted. The value is usually set automatically, rather than being supplied by application code, to maintain accuracy.

Formats and storage for CreateDate vary by database system. Common types include TIMESTAMP, DATETIME, or date-time with time zone support. Time zone handling is important: many systems store timestamps in UTC and convert to local time for display. Different databases implement automatic population differently, using defaults such as CURRENT_TIMESTAMP or GETDATE(), or via triggers and application logic.

Automatic population is a key feature of CreateDate to ensure reliable auditing. A default expression on insert, or a trigger that assigns the current timestamp, helps prevent missing or inconsistent values. Object-relational mappers (ORMs) and frameworks often map CreateDate to a field like created_at and manage it automatically during record creation.

Use cases for CreateDate include auditing, sorting records by creation time, and implementing retention or compliance policies. It is common to pair CreateDate with an UpdatedDate (or ModifiedDate) field to track both creation and modification timelines.

Common pitfalls include nullable values if the field is not enforced, inconsistent naming conventions, and time zone or precision issues. Indexing the CreateDate column can improve range queries for recent records but may impact write performance.

Related concepts and conventions include UpdatedDate, ModifiedDate, CreatedAt, and naming schemes such as created_at or insert_time used across different systems.