NEW_TIME FAQS

1. What is the Oracle NEW_TIME function used for?

The NEW_TIME function in Oracle is used to convert a date or timestamp from one time zone to another. It is useful for adjusting time values between two time zones without manually calculating the time difference.

2. What is the syntax for the NEW_TIME function?

NEW_TIME(date_value, from_timezone, to_timezone)

• date_value: The date or timestamp to convert.
• from_timezone: The source time zone of the date_value.
• to_timezone: The target time zone to which you want to convert.

3. What does the NEW_TIME function return?

The NEW_TIME function returns a DATE value that represents the adjusted time in the new time zone. It does not include time zone information, just the adjusted date and time.

4. What are some examples of valid time zone abbreviations used with NEW_TIME?

• PST: Pacific Standard Time
• PDT: Pacific Daylight Time
• EST: Eastern Standard Time
• EDT: Eastern Daylight Time
• CST: Central Standard Time
• CDT: Central Daylight Time
• GMT: Greenwich Mean Time (UTC)
• UTC: Coordinated Universal Time
• BST: British Summer Time

5. Can I use full time zone names like 'America/Los_Angeles' with NEW_TIME?

No, NEW_TIME only supports a fixed set of time zone abbreviations (e.g., PST, EST, GMT) and does not support full IANA time zone names such as America/Los_Angeles. For more precise time zone handling, you would need to use TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE or the AT TIME ZONE clause.

6. Does the NEW_TIME function handle Daylight Saving Time (DST)?

No, the NEW_TIME function does not automatically account for DST transitions. You need to adjust for DST manually by using the correct time zone abbreviation. For example, to convert between PST and PDT, you must choose the correct abbreviation based on whether DST is active.

7. What are the limitations of the NEW_TIME function?

• No DST Handling: It doesn't automatically adjust for Daylight Saving Time.
• Limited Time Zone Support: Only a specific set of time zone abbreviations is supported, not the full range of time zones.
• No Time Zone Information in Result: The result is returned as a DATE without any time zone information.
• Ambiguity in Time Zone Abbreviations: Some abbreviations may be ambiguous or may vary based on the Oracle database version or the operating system.

8. Can NEW_TIME be used for global scheduling?

Yes, the NEW_TIME function is useful in global scheduling applications, where times need to be converted between different time zones (e.g., scheduling international conference calls or events).

9. How do I convert a timestamp from GMT to PST using NEW_TIME?

Here is an example SQL query:

SELECT NEW_TIME(DATE '2025-08-15 15:00:00', 'GMT', 'PST') FROM dual;

-- Result: 15-AUG-2025 07:00:00 AM

This converts 2025-08-15 15:00:00 GMT to 2025-08-15 07:00:00 AM PST.

10. What is the difference between NEW_TIME and AT TIME ZONE?

• NEW_TIME: Primarily used for simple time zone conversions using specific time zone abbreviations (e.g., PST, EST).
• AT TIME ZONE: Allows more precise control over time zone conversions and supports full time zone names (e.g., America/Los_Angeles). It also works with TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE and can account for DST automatically.

11. Can I use NEW_TIME for reports across different time zones?

Yes, NEW_TIME is useful for adjusting timestamps in reports to match the correct local time zone for different clients or stakeholders across various regions.

12. Does NEW_TIME support all global time zones?

No, NEW_TIME only supports a limited number of time zone abbreviations, which might not cover all global time zones. For more comprehensive time zone support, you might need to use the TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE data type and the AT TIME ZONE clause.