PHP MYSQL Question on comparing dates in a Query

Question

I am trying to construct a mysql query string to pull out certain records but only if the date in the database is greater than the current date.

So I have this so far and I am not sure if this is a legal syntax...

date_default_timezone_set('America/Los_Angeles');
$current_date = date("Y-m-d");

$sql = "SELECT * FROM `coupons` WHERE status = 1 AND end_date > '$current_date'";

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

It's legal syntax. You can use one.

Answer 2

I use CURRENT_TIMESTAMP in general, ie:

SELECT * FROM `coupons` WHERE status = 1 AND end_date > CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

Do you have a need to compare to the LA timezone? CURRENT_TIMESTAMP will use the local MySQL server time (but that should technically be what the date values are stored as, as well).