Question

What is the best way to randomize the time part for a DATE column, using Oracle 10g?

For example, the date portion for the data was set as follows:

UPDATE table_name SET column_ts = SYSDATE - 120 + MOD(ROWNUM, 35)

I would like the time portion to have a different value for each row.

Answer 1

Choose a random number between 0 and 86400 (number of seconds in a day)

Add random / 86400 to your date.

SELECT TRUNC(SYSDATE)+DBMS_RANDOM.value(0, 86400-1)/86400 FROM DUAL

ADDITION:

UPDATE table_name
SET    column_ts = SYSDATE - 120 + MOD(ROWNUM, 35) + DBMS_RANDOM.value(0, 86400-1)/86400;