sql - mysql automatically store record creation timestamp

Question

Is there some way mysql can store timestamp automatically in a record row whenever that it is created. I was trying to use timestamp(data type) with current_timestamp as default value but then realised this will get updated everytime the record is updated. I just need something that will store create timestamp.

Thanks

Answer 1

Set the DEFAULT constraint to use CURRENT_TIMESTAMP:

CREATE TABLE ...
  your_date_column DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
  ...

For an existing table, use the ALTER TABLE statement:

ALTER TABLE your_table
ALTER COLUMN date_column SET DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

Unless you specify a value to for the date_column, the default will be the date & time the INSERT statement was run. NULL and DEFAULT or valid values to use the default constraint otherwise, assuming the column is nullable.