The DATETIME data type in SQL is designed to store both date and time information. It's a common way to record when an event occurred, when a record was created, or when a task is scheduled. This precision is essential for many applications, from tracking customer orders to logging server events. Different SQL implementations might have slight variations in the exact format, but the core functionality remains consistent. For example, MySQL and PostgreSQL both support DATETIME, but the specific way they handle time zones or fractional seconds might differ. Understanding the specific implementation of the database system you are using is important for accurate data handling. A crucial aspect of using DATETIME is understanding how to query and manipulate these values. You can use comparison operators (like '=', '>', '<') to filter records based on date and time ranges. This allows for powerful data analysis and reporting.