Is there a way to specify a constant date/time that isn't

" SET @date = '2009-08-19' " ?

(Or "CONVERT" from the date encoding of your choice, I suppose.

Or "SET @date = 'Aug 19, 09' is fine.)

DATEADD(day, (19-1), DATEADD(month, (8-1), DATEADD(year, (2009-1900), 0)))

gives the same result, but you wouldn't, would you?