MS SQL datetime prior than 1/1/1900

Question

Surely there is a way to store a date value prior than 1-1-1900 in a column other than varchar? Or do I really have to break this out, and perform my own datetime library for date differences, sorting, and such?

Yes, I understand how datetime's are actually stored (an integer value from a specific date), but I remember there being another workaround from years ago. It's just slipping me now.

Answer 1

smalldatetime vs. datetime!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187819.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms182418.aspx

!

Answer 2

Yes the SQL Server DateTime type can store dates from 1 January 1753.

Answer 3

SQL Server 2008 has the DATE data type which can range from 0001-01-01 through 9999-12-31.

With previous versions, your SOL if you need a date prior to 1753-01-01 (Minimum value for DATETIME).