Converting a number to datetime sql

Question

I have the number 20080331.

I need to cast/convert this into a datetime so I can do a date comparison within the database. How will i go about converting this number

Answer 1

You need to cast to a character type first;

select cast(cast(20080331 as varchar(8)) as datetime)

>>2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

Answer 2

SELECT  CONVERT(DATETIME, CAST(20110331 AS VARCHAR(8)), 112)