GETDATE() function in SQL Server

The GETDATA() function return the current date and time. This value is derived from the operating system of the computer on which the instance of SQL Server is running.
This function can be used to automatically insert date values into columns or to find out the current date.

Summary:

GETDATE()

returned value will be current datetime.

Example:

consider following query:

Select GETDATE()

Output Will be:

2012-03-03 12:11:28.323

 
if you want to get current system date with Getdate() function, use convert function like as:

SELECT CONVERT (date, GETDATE())

Output Will be:

2012-03-03

 
if you want to get current system time with Getdate() function, use convert function like as:

SELECT CONVERT (time, GETDATE())

Output Will be:

12:11:28.323