Database expressions

LesliDate can generate SQL fragments that format stored UTC timestamps in the time zone configured by Lesli.

One column

date_sql = LesliDate::Formatter
  .new
  .date_time
  .db_column("published_at", "articles", as: "published_at_display")

Article.select("articles.*", date_sql)

db_column(column, table = "", as: nil) qualifies the column when a table is supplied. The default alias is <column>_string.

Timestamp columns

timestamp_sql = LesliDate::Formatter.new.date_time.db_timestamps("articles")
Article.select("articles.*", timestamp_sql)

db_timestamps(table = "") generates expressions for the standard created_at and updated_at columns. SQLite currently returns only a created_at_string expression; PostgreSQL returns both timestamps as created_at_date and updated_at_date.

Current database time

LesliDate::Compatibility.db_now

This returns CURRENT_TIMESTAMP for SQLite and NOW() for other adapters. The formatting helpers explicitly support SQLite and PostgreSQL; verify generated SQL before using another database adapter.

Column and table names are interpolated into the SQL fragment. Pass trusted schema identifiers, never raw user input.