In many SQL applications, you need to work with the current date and time. This might be for logging events, calculating time differences, or generating reports that reflect the current state of the data. SQL offers built-in functions to easily access this information. These functions are often used in conjunction with other queries to filter results based on time ranges or to add a timestamp to records. For example, you might want to find all orders placed within the last week or log the time a user last accessed a particular resource. The specific functions available may vary slightly depending on the database system (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server), but the general concept remains the same. Understanding how to use these functions is a fundamental skill for any SQL developer.