Java Tutorial/Data Type/Date Format

A formatter that formats dates to show the elapsed time relative to some base date.

   <source lang="java">

/*

* JFreeChart : a free chart library for the Java(tm) platform
* 
*
* (C) Copyright 2000-2008, by Object Refinery Limited and Contributors.
*
* Project Info:  http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/index.html
*
* This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
* under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
* the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
* (at your option) any later version.
*
* This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
* WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
* or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Lesser General Public
* License for more details.
*
* You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
* License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
* Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301,
* USA.
*
* [Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
* in the United States and other countries.]
*
* -----------------------
* RelativeDateFormat.java
* -----------------------
* (C) Copyright 2006-2008, by Object Refinery Limited and Contributors.
*
* Original Author:  David Gilbert (for Object Refinery Limited);
* Contributor(s):   Michael Siemer;
*
* Changes:
* --------
* 01-Nov-2006 : Version 1 (DG);
* 23-Nov-2006 : Added argument checks, updated equals(), added clone() and
*               hashCode() (DG);
* 15-Feb-2008 : Applied patch 1873328 by Michael Siemer, with minor
*               modifications (DG);
* 01-Sep-2008 : Added new fields for hour and minute formatting, based on
*               patch 2033092 (DG);
*
*/

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.DecimalFormat; import java.text.FieldPosition; import java.text.NumberFormat; import java.text.ParsePosition; import java.util.Calendar; import java.util.Date; import java.util.GregorianCalendar; /**

* A formatter that formats dates to show the elapsed time relative to some
* base date.
*
* @since 1.0.3
*/

public class RelativeDateFormat extends DateFormat {

   /** The base milliseconds for the elapsed time calculation. */
   private long baseMillis;
   /**
    * A flag that controls whether or not a zero day count is displayed.
    */
   private boolean showZeroDays;
   /**
    * A flag that controls whether or not a zero hour count is displayed.
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   private boolean showZeroHours;
   /**
    * A formatter for the day count (most likely not critical until the
    * day count exceeds 999).
    */
   private NumberFormat dayFormatter;
   /**
    * A prefix prepended to the start of the format if the relative date is
    * positive.
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   private String positivePrefix;
   /**
    * A string appended after the day count.
    */
   private String daySuffix;
   /**
    * A formatter for the hours.
    *
    * @since 1.0.11
    */
   private NumberFormat hourFormatter;
   /**
    * A string appended after the hours.
    */
   private String hourSuffix;
   /**
    * A formatter for the minutes.
    *
    * @since 1.0.11
    */
   private NumberFormat minuteFormatter;
   /**
    * A string appended after the minutes.
    */
   private String minuteSuffix;
   /**
    * A formatter for the seconds (and milliseconds).
    */
   private NumberFormat secondFormatter;
   /**
    * A string appended after the seconds.
    */
   private String secondSuffix;
   /**
    * A constant for the number of milliseconds in one hour.
    */
   private static long MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_HOUR = 60 * 60 * 1000L;
   /**
    * A constant for the number of milliseconds in one day.
    */
   private static long MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_DAY = 24 * MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_HOUR;
   /**
    * Creates a new instance with base milliseconds set to zero.
    */
   public RelativeDateFormat() {
       this(0L);
   }
   /**
    * Creates a new instance.
    *
    * @param time  the date/time (null not permitted).
    */
   public RelativeDateFormat(Date time) {
       this(time.getTime());
   }
   /**
    * Creates a new instance.
    *
    * @param baseMillis  the time zone (null not permitted).
    */
   public RelativeDateFormat(long baseMillis) {
       super();
       this.baseMillis = baseMillis;
       this.showZeroDays = false;
       this.showZeroHours = true;
       this.positivePrefix = "";
       this.dayFormatter = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
       this.daySuffix = "d";
       this.hourFormatter = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
       this.hourSuffix = "h";
       this.minuteFormatter = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
       this.minuteSuffix = "m";
       this.secondFormatter = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
       this.secondFormatter.setMaximumFractionDigits(3);
       this.secondFormatter.setMinimumFractionDigits(3);
       this.secondSuffix = "s";
       // we don"t use the calendar or numberFormat fields, but equals(Object)
       // is failing without them being non-null
       this.calendar = new GregorianCalendar();
       this.numberFormat = new DecimalFormat("0");
   }
   /**
    * Returns the base date/time used to calculate the elapsed time for
    * display.
    *
    * @return The base date/time in milliseconds since 1-Jan-1970.
    *
    * @see #setBaseMillis(long)
    */
   public long getBaseMillis() {
       return this.baseMillis;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the base date/time used to calculate the elapsed time for display.
    * This should be specified in milliseconds using the same encoding as
    * java.util.Date.
    *
    * @param baseMillis  the base date/time in milliseconds.
    *
    * @see #getBaseMillis()
    */
   public void setBaseMillis(long baseMillis) {
       this.baseMillis = baseMillis;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the flag that controls whether or not zero day counts are
    * shown in the formatted output.
    *
    * @return The flag.
    *
    * @see #setShowZeroDays(boolean)
    */
   public boolean getShowZeroDays() {
       return this.showZeroDays;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the flag that controls whether or not zero day counts are shown
    * in the formatted output.
    *
    * @param show  the flag.
    *
    * @see #getShowZeroDays()
    */
   public void setShowZeroDays(boolean show) {
       this.showZeroDays = show;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the flag that controls whether or not zero hour counts are
    * shown in the formatted output.
    *
    * @return The flag.
    *
    * @see #setShowZeroHours(boolean)
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   public boolean getShowZeroHours() {
       return this.showZeroHours;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the flag that controls whether or not zero hour counts are shown
    * in the formatted output.
    *
    * @param show  the flag.
    *
    * @see #getShowZeroHours()
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   public void setShowZeroHours(boolean show) {
       this.showZeroHours = show;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the string that is prepended to the format if the relative time
    * is positive.
    *
    * @return The string (never null).
    *
    * @see #setPositivePrefix(String)
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   public String getPositivePrefix() {
       return this.positivePrefix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the string that is prepended to the format if the relative time is
    * positive.
    *
    * @param prefix  the prefix (null not permitted).
    *
    * @see #getPositivePrefix()
    *
    * @since 1.0.10
    */
   public void setPositivePrefix(String prefix) {
       if (prefix == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "prefix" argument.");
       }
       this.positivePrefix = prefix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the formatter for the days.
    *
    * @param formatter  the formatter (null not permitted).
    *
    * @since 1.0.11
    */
   public void setDayFormatter(NumberFormat formatter) {
       if (formatter == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "formatter" argument.");
       }
       this.dayFormatter = formatter;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the string that is appended to the day count.
    *
    * @return The string.
    *
    * @see #setDaySuffix(String)
    */
   public String getDaySuffix() {
       return this.daySuffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the string that is appended to the day count.
    *
    * @param suffix  the suffix (null not permitted).
    *
    * @see #getDaySuffix()
    */
   public void setDaySuffix(String suffix) {
       if (suffix == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "suffix" argument.");
       }
       this.daySuffix = suffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the formatter for the hours.
    *
    * @param formatter  the formatter (null not permitted).
    *
    * @since 1.0.11
    */
   public void setHourFormatter(NumberFormat formatter) {
       if (formatter == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "formatter" argument.");
       }
       this.hourFormatter = formatter;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the string that is appended to the hour count.
    *
    * @return The string.
    *
    * @see #setHourSuffix(String)
    */
   public String getHourSuffix() {
       return this.hourSuffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the string that is appended to the hour count.
    *
    * @param suffix  the suffix (null not permitted).
    *
    * @see #getHourSuffix()
    */
   public void setHourSuffix(String suffix) {
       if (suffix == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "suffix" argument.");
       }
       this.hourSuffix = suffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the formatter for the minutes.
    *
    * @param formatter  the formatter (null not permitted).
    *
    * @since 1.0.11
    */
   public void setMinuteFormatter(NumberFormat formatter) {
       if (formatter == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "formatter" argument.");
       }
       this.minuteFormatter = formatter;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the string that is appended to the minute count.
    *
    * @return The string.
    *
    * @see #setMinuteSuffix(String)
    */
   public String getMinuteSuffix() {
       return this.minuteSuffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the string that is appended to the minute count.
    *
    * @param suffix  the suffix (null not permitted).
    *
    * @see #getMinuteSuffix()
    */
   public void setMinuteSuffix(String suffix) {
       if (suffix == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "suffix" argument.");
       }
       this.minuteSuffix = suffix;
   }
   /**
    * Returns the string that is appended to the second count.
    *
    * @return The string.
    *
    * @see #setSecondSuffix(String)
    */
   public String getSecondSuffix() {
       return this.secondSuffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the string that is appended to the second count.
    *
    * @param suffix  the suffix (null not permitted).
    *
    * @see #getSecondSuffix()
    */
   public void setSecondSuffix(String suffix) {
       if (suffix == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "suffix" argument.");
       }
       this.secondSuffix = suffix;
   }
   /**
    * Sets the formatter for the seconds and milliseconds.
    *
    * @param formatter  the formatter (null not permitted).
    */
   public void setSecondFormatter(NumberFormat formatter) {
       if (formatter == null) {
           throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null "formatter" argument.");
       }
       this.secondFormatter = formatter;
   }
   /**
    * Formats the given date as the amount of elapsed time (relative to the
    * base date specified in the constructor).
    *
    * @param date  the date.
    * @param toAppendTo  the string buffer.
    * @param fieldPosition  the field position.
    *
    * @return The formatted date.
    */
   public StringBuffer format(Date date, StringBuffer toAppendTo,
                              FieldPosition fieldPosition) {
       long currentMillis = date.getTime();
       long elapsed = currentMillis - this.baseMillis;
       String signPrefix;
       if (elapsed < 0) {
           elapsed *= -1L;
           signPrefix = "-";
       }
       else {
           signPrefix = this.positivePrefix;
       }
       long days = elapsed / MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_DAY;
       elapsed = elapsed - (days * MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_DAY);
       long hours = elapsed / MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_HOUR;
       elapsed = elapsed - (hours * MILLISECONDS_IN_ONE_HOUR);
       long minutes = elapsed / 60000L;
       elapsed = elapsed - (minutes * 60000L);
       double seconds = elapsed / 1000.0;
       toAppendTo.append(signPrefix);
       if (days != 0 || this.showZeroDays) {
           toAppendTo.append(this.dayFormatter.format(days) + getDaySuffix());
       }
       if (hours != 0 || this.showZeroHours) {
           toAppendTo.append(this.hourFormatter.format(hours)
                   + getHourSuffix());
       }
       toAppendTo.append(this.minuteFormatter.format(minutes)
               + getMinuteSuffix());
       toAppendTo.append(this.secondFormatter.format(seconds)
               + getSecondSuffix());
       return toAppendTo;
   }
   /**
    * Parses the given string (not implemented).
    *
    * @param source  the date string.
    * @param pos  the parse position.
    *
    * @return null, as this method has not been implemented.
    */
   public Date parse(String source, ParsePosition pos) {
       return null;
   }
   /**
    * Tests this formatter for equality with an arbitrary object.
    *
    * @param obj  the object (null permitted).
    *
    * @return A boolean.
    */
   public boolean equals(Object obj) {
       if (obj == this) {
           return true;
       }
       if (!(obj instanceof RelativeDateFormat)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!super.equals(obj)) {
           return false;
       }
       RelativeDateFormat that = (RelativeDateFormat) obj;
       if (this.baseMillis != that.baseMillis) {
           return false;
       }
       if (this.showZeroDays != that.showZeroDays) {
           return false;
       }
       if (this.showZeroHours != that.showZeroHours) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.positivePrefix.equals(that.positivePrefix)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.daySuffix.equals(that.daySuffix)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.hourSuffix.equals(that.hourSuffix)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.minuteSuffix.equals(that.minuteSuffix)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.secondSuffix.equals(that.secondSuffix)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.dayFormatter.equals(that.dayFormatter)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.hourFormatter.equals(that.hourFormatter)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.minuteFormatter.equals(that.minuteFormatter)) {
           return false;
       }
       if (!this.secondFormatter.equals(that.secondFormatter)) {
           return false;
       }
       return true;
   }
   /**
    * Returns a hash code for this instance.
    *
    * @return A hash code.
    */
   public int hashCode() {
       int result = 193;
       result = 37 * result
               + (int) (this.baseMillis ^ (this.baseMillis >>> 32));
       result = 37 * result + this.positivePrefix.hashCode();
       result = 37 * result + this.daySuffix.hashCode();
       result = 37 * result + this.hourSuffix.hashCode();
       result = 37 * result + this.minuteSuffix.hashCode();
       result = 37 * result + this.secondSuffix.hashCode();
       result = 37 * result + this.secondFormatter.hashCode();
       return result;
   }
   /**
    * Returns a clone of this instance.
    *
    * @return A clone.
    */
   public Object clone() {
       RelativeDateFormat clone = (RelativeDateFormat) super.clone();
       clone.dayFormatter = (NumberFormat) this.dayFormatter.clone();
       clone.secondFormatter = (NumberFormat) this.secondFormatter.clone();
       return clone;
   }
   /**
    * Some test code.
    *
    * @param args  ignored.
    */
   public static void main(String[] args) {
       GregorianCalendar c0 = new GregorianCalendar(2006, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0);
       GregorianCalendar c1 = new GregorianCalendar(2006, 10, 1, 11, 37, 43);
       c1.set(Calendar.MILLISECOND, 123);
       System.out.println("Default: ");
       RelativeDateFormat rdf = new RelativeDateFormat(c0.getTime().getTime());
       System.out.println(rdf.format(c1.getTime()));
       System.out.println();
       System.out.println("Hide milliseconds: ");
       rdf.setSecondFormatter(new DecimalFormat("0"));
       System.out.println(rdf.format(c1.getTime()));
       System.out.println();
       System.out.println("Show zero day output: ");
       rdf.setShowZeroDays(true);
       System.out.println(rdf.format(c1.getTime()));
       System.out.println();
       System.out.println("Alternative suffixes: ");
       rdf.setShowZeroDays(false);
       rdf.setDaySuffix(":");
       rdf.setHourSuffix(":");
       rdf.setMinuteSuffix(":");
       rdf.setSecondSuffix("");
       System.out.println(rdf.format(c1.getTime()));
       System.out.println();
   }

}</source>

Change date formatting symbols

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.DateFormatSymbols; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   String[] newMonths = { "JAN", "FEB", "MAR", "APR", "MAY", "JUN", "JUL", "AUG", "SEP", "OCT",
       "NOV", "DEC" };
   String[] newShortMonths = { "jan", "feb", "mar", "apr", "may", "jun", "jul", "aug", "sep",
       "oct", "nov", "dec" };
   String[] newWeekdays = { "", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Webnesday", "Thursday", "Friday",
       "Saturaday", "Sunday" };
   String[] shortWeekdays = { "", "monday", "tuesday", "webnesday", "thursday", "friday",
       "saturaday", "sunday" };
   DateFormatSymbols symbols = new DateFormatSymbols();
   symbols.setMonths(newMonths);
   symbols.setShortMonths(newShortMonths);
   symbols.setWeekdays(newWeekdays);
   symbols.setShortWeekdays(shortWeekdays);
   DateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat("dd MMMM yyyy", symbols);
   System.out.println(format.format(new Date()));
   format = new SimpleDateFormat("dd MMM yyyy", symbols);
   System.out.println(format.format(new Date()));
   format = new SimpleDateFormat("EEEE, dd MMM yyyy", symbols);
   System.out.println(format.format(new Date()));
   format = new SimpleDateFormat("E, dd MMM yyyy", symbols);
   System.out.println(format.format(new Date()));
 }

}</source>

Date and time with day and month fully spelled-out

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat simpDate;
   simpDate = new SimpleDateFormat("EEEE MMMMM dd yyyy kk:mm:ss");
   System.out.println(simpDate.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Date and time with month

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat simpDate;
   simpDate = new SimpleDateFormat("dd MMM yyyy hh:mm:ss a");
   System.out.println(simpDate.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Date Era change

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormatSymbols; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class ChangeEra {

 public static void main(String s[]) {
   SimpleDateFormat sdf = new SimpleDateFormat();
   DateFormatSymbols dfs = sdf.getDateFormatSymbols();
   String era[] = { "BCE", "CE" };
   dfs.setEras(era);
   sdf.setDateFormatSymbols(dfs);
   sdf.applyPattern("MMMM d yyyy G");
   System.out.println(sdf.format(new Date()));
 }

}</source>

DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.FULL,DateFormat.MEDIUM)

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Calendar; public class CalendarManipulation {

 public static void main(String s[]) {
   Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
   DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.FULL,DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   System.out.println(df.format(cal.getTime()));
   cal.add(Calendar.AM_PM, 1);
   System.out.println(df.format(cal.getTime()));
 }

}</source>

Date Format with SimpleDateFormat

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; class DateFormatApp {

 public static void main(String args[]) {
   String pattern = ""The year is "";
   pattern += "yyyy GG";
   pattern += "".\nThe month is "";
   pattern += "MMMMMMMMM";
   pattern += "".\nIt is "";
   pattern += "hh";
   pattern += "" o""clock "";
   pattern += "a, zzzz";
   pattern += ""."";
   SimpleDateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat(pattern);
   String formattedDate = format.format(new Date());
   System.out.println(formattedDate);
 }

}</source>

Date Parsing and Formatting with DateFormat

1. DateFormat supports styles or patterns.
2. There are four styles you can format a Date object to.
3. Each style is represented by an int value.
4. The four int fields that represent the styles are:

ValueExampleDateFormat.SHORT.For example, 12/2/05DateFormat.MEDIUM.For example, Dec 2, 2005.DateFormat.LONG.For example, December 2, 2005DateFormat.FULL.For example, Friday, December 2, 2005

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.ParseException; import java.util.Date; public class MainClass {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   DateFormat shortDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
   DateFormat mediumDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   DateFormat longDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG);
   DateFormat fullDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.FULL);
   System.out.println(shortDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(mediumDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(longDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(fullDf.format(new Date()));
   // parsing
   try {
     Date date = shortDf.parse("12/12/2006");
   } catch (ParseException e) {
   }
 }

}</source>

1/26/07
Jan 26, 2007
January 26, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007

Demonstrate date formats with different DateFormat constants

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class DateFormatDemo {

 public static void main(String args[]) {
   Date date = new Date();
   DateFormat df;
   df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT, Locale.JAPAN);
   System.out.println("Japan: " + df.format(date));
   df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM, Locale.KOREA);
   System.out.println("Korea: " + df.format(date));
   df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG, Locale.UK);
   System.out.println("United Kingdom: " + df.format(date));
   df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.FULL, Locale.US);
   System.out.println("United States: " + df.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Demonstrate time formats.

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class TimeFormatDemo {

 public static void main(String args[]) {
   Date date = new Date();
   DateFormat df;
   df = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT, Locale.JAPAN);
   System.out.println("Japan: " + df.format(date));
   df = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.LONG, Locale.UK);
   System.out.println("United Kingdom: " + df.format(date));
   df = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.FULL, Locale.CANADA);
   System.out.println("Canada: " + df.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Display date with a short day and month name

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("EEE, dd MMM yyyy");
   String today = formatter.format(new Date());
   System.out.println("Today : " + today);
 }

}</source>

Display date with day name in a short format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("EEE, dd/MM/yyyy");
   String today = formatter.format(new Date());
   System.out.println("Today : " + today);
 }

}</source>

Express a duration in term of HH:MM:SS

   <source lang="java">

import java.util.Calendar; public class Main {

 public static void main(String args[]) {
   Calendar cal1 = Calendar.getInstance();
   Calendar cal2 = Calendar.getInstance();
   cal2.add(Calendar.HOUR, 2);
   cal2.add(Calendar.MINUTE, 42);
   cal2.add(Calendar.SECOND, 12);
   long secs = (cal2.getTimeInMillis() - cal1.getTimeInMillis()) / 1000;
   String display = String.format("%02d:%02d:%02d", secs / 3600, (secs % 3600) / 60, (secs % 60));
   System.out.println(display);
 }

}</source>

Format a date into dd/mm/yyyy

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Calendar; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   Date date = Calendar.getInstance().getTime();
   // Display a date in day, month, year format
   DateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy");
   String today = formatter.format(date);
   System.out.println("Today : " + today);
 }

}</source>

Format current date and time with the SimpleDateFormat: dd/MM/yyyy

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   SimpleDateFormat sdfDate = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy");
   Date now = new Date();
   String strDate = sdfDate.format(now);
   System.out.println("Date: " + strDate);
 }

} //Date: 18/02/2009</source>

Format current date and time with the SimpleDateFormat: HH:mm:ss

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   SimpleDateFormat sdfTime = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss");
   Date now = new Date();
   String strTime = sdfTime.format(now);
   System.out.println("Time: " + strTime);
 }

} //Time: 13:54:56</source>

Format Date with System.out.format

   <source lang="java">

/*

* Copyright (c) 1995 - 2008 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
*
* Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
* modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
* are met:
*
*   - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
*     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
*
*   - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
*     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
*     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
*
*   - Neither the name of Sun Microsystems nor the names of its
*     contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
*     from this software without specific prior written permission.
*
* THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS
* IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
* THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
* PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
* CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
* EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
* PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
* PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
* LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
* NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
* SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
*/

import java.util.Calendar; import java.util.Locale; public class TestFormat {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   long n = 461012;
   System.out.format("%d%n", n);
   System.out.format("%08d%n", n);
   System.out.format("%+8d%n", n);
   System.out.format("%,8d%n", n);
   System.out.format("%+,8d%n%n", n);
   double pi = Math.PI;
   System.out.format("%f%n", pi);
   System.out.format("%.3f%n", pi);
   System.out.format("%10.3f%n", pi);
   System.out.format("%-10.3f%n", pi);
   System.out.format(Locale.FRANCE, "%-10.4f%n%n", pi);
   Calendar c = Calendar.getInstance();
   System.out.format("%tB %te, %tY%n", c, c, c);
   System.out.format("%tl:%tM %tp%n", c, c, c);
   System.out.format("%tD%n", c);
 }

}</source>

Formatter that caches formatted date information

   <source lang="java">

/*

* Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one or more
* contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file distributed with
* this work for additional information regarding copyright ownership.
* The ASF licenses this file to You under the Apache License, Version 2.0
* (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
* the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
* 
*      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
* 
* Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
* distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
* WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
* See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
* limitations under the License.
*/

import java.util.Date; import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.FieldPosition; import java.text.ParsePosition; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; /**

* Fast date formatter that caches recently formatted date information
* and uses it to avoid too-frequent calls to the underlying
* formatter.  Note: breaks fieldPosition param of format(Date,
* StringBuffer, FieldPosition).  If you care about the field
* position, call the underlying DateFormat directly.
*
* @author Stan Bailes
* @author Alex Chaffee
**/

public class FastDateFormat extends DateFormat {

   DateFormat    df;
   long          lastSec = -1;
   StringBuffer  sb      = new StringBuffer();
   FieldPosition fp      = new FieldPosition(DateFormat.MILLISECOND_FIELD);
   public FastDateFormat(DateFormat df) {
       this.df = df;
   }
   public Date parse(String text, ParsePosition pos) {
       return df.parse(text, pos);
   }
   /**
    * Note: breaks functionality of fieldPosition param. Also:
    * there"s a bug in SimpleDateFormat with "S" and "SS", use "SSS"
    * instead if you want a msec field.
    **/
   public StringBuffer format(Date date, StringBuffer toAppendTo,
                              FieldPosition fieldPosition) {
       long dt = date.getTime();
       long ds = dt / 1000;
       if (ds != lastSec) {
           sb.setLength(0);
           df.format(date, sb, fp);
           lastSec = ds;
       } else {
           // munge current msec into existing string
           int ms = (int)(dt % 1000);
           int pos = fp.getEndIndex();
           int begin = fp.getBeginIndex();
           if (pos > 0) {
               if (pos > begin)
                   sb.setCharAt(--pos, Character.forDigit(ms % 10, 10));
               ms /= 10;
               if (pos > begin)
                   sb.setCharAt(--pos, Character.forDigit(ms % 10, 10));
               ms /= 10;
               if (pos > begin)
                   sb.setCharAt(--pos, Character.forDigit(ms % 10, 10));
           }
       }
       toAppendTo.append(sb.toString());
       return toAppendTo;
   }
   public static void main(String[] args) {
       String format = "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.SSS";
       if (args.length > 0)
           format = args[0];
       SimpleDateFormat sdf = new SimpleDateFormat(format);
       FastDateFormat fdf = new FastDateFormat(sdf);
       Date d = new Date();
       d.setTime(1); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(20); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(500); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(543); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(999); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(1050); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(2543); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(12345); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       d.setTime(12340); System.out.println(fdf.format(d) + "\t" + sdf.format(d));
       final int reps = 100000;
       {
           long start = System.currentTimeMillis();
           for (int i = 0; i < reps; i++) {
               d.setTime(System.currentTimeMillis());
               fdf.format(d);
           }
           long elap = System.currentTimeMillis() - start;
           System.out.println("fast: " + elap + " elapsed");
           System.out.println(fdf.format(d));
       }
       {
           long start = System.currentTimeMillis();
           for (int i = 0; i < reps; i++) {
               d.setTime(System.currentTimeMillis());
               sdf.format(d);
           }
           long elap = System.currentTimeMillis() - start;
           System.out.println("slow: " + elap + " elapsed");
           System.out.println(sdf.format(d));
       }
   }

}</source>

Formatting Dates and Times

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class MainClass {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   Date today = new Date();
   DateFormat fmt = DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.FULL,
                                                          DateFormat.FULL, Locale.US);
   String formatted = fmt.format(today);
   System.out.println(formatted);
 }

}</source>

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:03:23 AM PST

Formatting String Symbols for SimpleDateFormat

   <source lang="java">

Symbol Description a AM or PM d Day of month (1-31) h Hour in AM/PM (1-12) k Hour in day (1-24) m Minute in hour (0-59) s Second in minute (0-59) w Week of year (1-52) y Year z Time zone D Day of year (1-366) E Day of week (for example, Thursday) F Day of week in month G Era (that is, AD or BC) H Hour in day (0-23) K Hour in AM/PM (0-11) M Month S Millisecond in second W Week of month (1-5) Z Time zone in RFC822 format</source>

Formatting Symbols for SimpleDateFormat

   <source lang="java">

Symbol Description a AM or PM d Day of month (1-31) h Hour in AM/PM (1-12) k Hour in day (1-24) m Minute in hour (0-59) s Second in minute (0-59) w Week of year (1-52) y Year z Time zone D Day of year (1-366) E Day of week (for example, Thursday) F Day of week in month G Era (that is, AD or BC) H Hour in day (0-23) K Hour in AM/PM (0-11) M Month S Millisecond in second W Week of month (1-5) Z Time zone in RFC822 format</source>

Formatting the Time Using a Custom Format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   // The hour (1-12)
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("h");
   String s = formatter.format(new Date());
   System.out.println(s);
 }

}</source>

Four different date formats for four countries: US, UK, GERMANY, FRANCE

   <source lang="java">

import static java.text.DateFormat.FULL; import static java.text.DateFormat.LONG; import static java.text.DateFormat.MEDIUM; import static java.text.DateFormat.SHORT; import static java.util.Locale.FRANCE; import static java.util.Locale.GERMANY; import static java.util.Locale.UK; import static java.util.Locale.US; import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class MainClass {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   Date today = new Date();
   Locale[] locales = { US, UK, GERMANY, FRANCE };
   int[] styles = { FULL, LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT };
   String[] styleNames = { "FULL", "LONG", "MEDIUM", "SHORT" };
   DateFormat fmt = null;
   for (Locale locale : locales) {
     System.out.println("\nThe Date for " + locale.getDisplayCountry() + ":");
     for (int i = 0; i < styles.length; i++) {
       fmt = DateFormat.getDateInstance(styles[i], locale);
       System.out.println("\tIn " + styleNames[i] + " is " + fmt.format(today));
     }
   }
 }

}</source>

The Date for United States:
  In FULL is Tuesday, January 16, 2007
  In LONG is January 16, 2007
  In MEDIUM is Jan 16, 2007
  In SHORT is 1/16/07
The Date for United Kingdom:
  In FULL is 16 January 2007
  In LONG is 16 January 2007
  In MEDIUM is 16-Jan-2007
  In SHORT is 16/01/07
The Date for Germany:
  In FULL is Dienstag, 16. Januar 2007
  In LONG is 16. Januar 2007
  In MEDIUM is 16.01.2007
  In SHORT is 16.01.07
The Date for France:
  In FULL is mardi 16 janvier 2007
  In LONG is 16 janvier 2007
  In MEDIUM is 16 janv. 2007
  In SHORT is 16/01/07

Get a List of Short Month Names

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormatSymbols; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   String[] shortMonths = new DateFormatSymbols().getShortMonths();
   for (int i = 0; i < shortMonths.length; i++) {
     String shortMonth = shortMonths[i];
     System.out.println("shortMonth = " + shortMonth);
   }
 }

}</source>

Get a List of Short Weekday Names

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormatSymbols; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   String[] shortWeekdays = new DateFormatSymbols().getShortWeekdays();
   for (int i = 0; i < shortWeekdays.length; i++) {
     String shortWeekday = shortWeekdays[i];
     System.out.println("shortWeekday = " + shortWeekday);
   }
 }

}</source>

Get a List of Weekday Names

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormatSymbols; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   String[] weekdays = new DateFormatSymbols().getWeekdays();
   for (int i = 0; i < weekdays.length; i++) {
     String weekday = weekdays[i];
     System.out.println("weekday = " + weekday);
   }
 }

}</source>

Leniency

Leniency refers to whether or not a strict rule will be applied at parsing. If a DateFormat object is lenient, it will accept Jan 32, 2005. In fact, it will take the liberty of converting it to Feb 1, 2006. By default, a DateFormat object is lenient.

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.ParseException; import java.util.Date; public class MainClass {

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   DateFormat shortDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
   DateFormat mediumDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   DateFormat longDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG);
   DateFormat fullDf = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.FULL);
   System.out.println(shortDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(mediumDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(longDf.format(new Date()));
   System.out.println(fullDf.format(new Date()));
   // parsing
   try {
     Date date = shortDf.parse("Jan 32, 2005");
   } catch (ParseException e) {
   }
 }

}</source>

1/26/07
Jan 26, 2007
January 26, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007

Output current time: %tc

   <source lang="java">

import java.util.Calendar; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
   System.out.printf("Current time and date: %tc\n", cal);
 }

}</source>

Parse a date and time

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy.MM.dd.HH.mm.ss");
   Date date = (Date) formatter.parseObject("2002.01.29.08.36.33");
   System.out.println(date);
 }

}</source>

Parse string date value input with SimpleDateFormat("dd-MMM-yy")

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("dd-MMM-yy");
   Date date = (Date) formatter.parseObject("29-Jan-02");
   System.out.println(date);
 }

}</source>

Parse string date value input with SimpleDateFormat("E, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss Z")

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("E, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss Z");
   Date date = (Date) formatter.parseObject("Tue, 29 Jan 2004 21:14:02 -0500");
 }

}</source>

Parse string date value with default format: DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.DEFAULT)

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.DEFAULT).parse("Feb 28, 2002");
   System.out.println(date);
 }

}</source>

Parse with a custom format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.Format; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Format formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss Z", Locale.CANADA);
   Date date = (Date) formatter.parseObject("21:44:07 Heure normale du Pacifique");
 }

}</source>

Parse with a default format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Date; import java.util.Locale; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM, Locale.CANADA).parse("21:44:07");
 }

}</source>

Parsing the Time Using a Custom Format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   DateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("hh.mm.ss a");
   Date date = (Date) formatter.parse("02.47.44 PM");
   System.out.println(date);
 }

}</source>

print out the current date and time

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.util.Calendar; public class CalendarManipulation {

 public static void main(String s[]) {
   Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
   DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.FULL,
       DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   System.out.println(df.format(cal.getTime()));
 }

}</source>

RFC date format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.DateFormat; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Locale; import java.util.TimeZone; /**

*  Common place for date utils.
*
* @author dac@eng.sun.ru
* @author Jason Hunter [jch@eng.sun.ru]
* @author James Todd [gonzo@eng.sun.ru]
* @author Costin Manolache
*/

public class DateTool {

   /**
    * US locale - all HTTP dates are in english
    */
   public final static Locale LOCALE_US = Locale.US;
   /**
    * GMT timezone - all HTTP dates are on GMT
    */
   public final static TimeZone GMT_ZONE = TimeZone.getTimeZone("GMT");
   /**
    * format for RFC 1123 date string -- "Sun, 06 Nov 1994 08:49:37 GMT"
    */
   public final static String RFC1123_PATTERN =
       "EEE, dd MMM yyyyy HH:mm:ss z";
   /** 
    * Format for http response header date field
    */
   public static final String HTTP_RESPONSE_DATE_HEADER =
       "EEE, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss zzz";
   // format for RFC 1036 date string -- "Sunday, 06-Nov-94 08:49:37 GMT"
   private final static String rfc1036Pattern =
       "EEEEEEEEE, dd-MMM-yy HH:mm:ss z";
   // format for C asctime() date string -- "Sun Nov  6 08:49:37 1994"
   private final static String asctimePattern =
       "EEE MMM d HH:mm:ss yyyyy";
   /**
    * Pattern used for old cookies
    */
   public final static String OLD_COOKIE_PATTERN = "EEE, dd-MMM-yyyy HH:mm:ss z";
   /**
    * DateFormat to be used to format dates
    */
   public final static DateFormat rfc1123Format =
       new SimpleDateFormat(RFC1123_PATTERN, LOCALE_US);
   /**
    * DateFormat to be used to format old netscape cookies
    */
   public final static DateFormat oldCookieFormat =
       new SimpleDateFormat(OLD_COOKIE_PATTERN, LOCALE_US);
   public final static DateFormat rfc1036Format =
       new SimpleDateFormat(rfc1036Pattern, LOCALE_US);
   public final static DateFormat asctimeFormat =
       new SimpleDateFormat(asctimePattern, LOCALE_US);
   static {
       rfc1123Format.setTimeZone(GMT_ZONE);
       oldCookieFormat.setTimeZone(GMT_ZONE);
       rfc1036Format.setTimeZone(GMT_ZONE);
       asctimeFormat.setTimeZone(GMT_ZONE);
   }

}</source>

SimpleDateFormat

With SimpleDateFormat, you can set your own date patterns. For example, dd/mm/yyyy, mm/dd/yyyy, yyyy-mm-dd, and so on.

The following pattern letters are defined (all other characters from "A" to "Z" and from "a" to "z" are reserved):

   <source lang="java">

Letter Date or Time Component Presentation Examples G Era designator Text AD y Year Year 1996; 96 M Month in year Month July; Jul; 07 w Week in year Number 27 W Week in month Number 2 D Day in year Number 189 d Day in month Number 10 F Day of week in month Number 2 E Day in week Text Tuesday; Tue a Am/pm marker Text PM H Hour in day (0-23) Number 0 k Hour in day (1-24) Number 24 K Hour in am/pm (0-11) Number 0 h Hour in am/pm (1-12) Number 12 m Minute in hour Number 30 s Second in minute Number 55 S Millisecond Number 978 z Time zone General time zone Pacific Standard Time; PST; GMT-08:00 Z Time zone RFC 822 time zone -0800 (from Java API doc)</source>

SimpleDateFormat: hh:mm:ss, dd MMM yyyy hh:mm:ss zzz, E MMM dd yyyy

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class SimpleDateFormatDemo {

 public static void main(String args[]) {
   Date date = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat sdf;
   sdf = new SimpleDateFormat("hh:mm:ss");
   System.out.println(sdf.format(date));
   sdf = new SimpleDateFormat("dd MMM yyyy hh:mm:ss zzz");
   System.out.println(sdf.format(date));
   sdf = new SimpleDateFormat("E MMM dd yyyy");
   System.out.println(sdf.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Simply format a date as YYYYMMDD

   <source lang="java">

import java.util.GregorianCalendar; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
   gc.setLenient(false);
   gc.set(GregorianCalendar.YEAR, 2003);
   gc.set(GregorianCalendar.MONTH, 12);
   gc.set(GregorianCalendar.DATE, 1);
   int m = gc.get(GregorianCalendar.MONTH) + 1;
   int d = gc.get(GregorianCalendar.DATE);
   String mm = Integer.toString(m);
   String dd = Integer.toString(d);
   System.out.println(gc.get(GregorianCalendar.YEAR) + (m < 10 ? "0" + mm : mm)
       + (d < 10 ? "0" + dd : dd));
 }

}</source>

Time in 12-hour format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat simpDate;
   simpDate = new SimpleDateFormat("hh:mm:ss a");
   System.out.println(simpDate.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Time in 24-hour format

   <source lang="java">

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; public class Main {

 public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception {
   Date date = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat simpDate;
   simpDate = new SimpleDateFormat("kk:mm:ss");
   System.out.println(simpDate.format(date));
 }

}</source>

Various Date format

   <source lang="java">

/*

*
* Copyright (c) 1998 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
*
* Sun grants you ("Licensee") a non-exclusive, royalty free, license to use,
* modify and redistribute this software in source and binary code form,
* provided that i) this copyright notice and license appear on all copies of
* the software; and ii) Licensee does not utilize the software in a manner
* which is disparaging to Sun.
*
* This software is provided "AS IS," without a warranty of any kind. ALL
* EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY
* IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
* NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. SUN AND ITS LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE
* LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE AS A RESULT OF USING, MODIFYING
* OR DISTRIBUTING THE SOFTWARE OR ITS DERIVATIVES. IN NO EVENT WILL SUN OR ITS
* LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST REVENUE, PROFIT OR DATA, OR FOR DIRECT,
* INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, HOWEVER
* CAUSED AND REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF
* OR INABILITY TO USE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF SUN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
* POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
*
* This software is not designed or intended for use in on-line control of
* aircraft, air traffic, aircraft navigation or aircraft communications; or in
* the design, construction, operation or maintenance of any nuclear
* facility. Licensee represents and warrants that it will not use or
* redistribute the Software for such purposes.
*/

import java.awt.Color; import java.awt.ruponent; import java.awt.Dimension; import java.awt.GridLayout; import java.awt.event.ActionEvent; import java.awt.event.ActionListener; import java.text.SimpleDateFormat; import java.util.Date; import javax.swing.BorderFactory; import javax.swing.Box; import javax.swing.BoxLayout; import javax.swing.JComboBox; import javax.swing.JComponent; import javax.swing.JFrame; import javax.swing.JLabel; import javax.swing.JPanel;

public class ComboBoxDemo2 extends JPanel implements ActionListener {

 static JFrame frame;
 JLabel result;
 String currentPattern;
 public ComboBoxDemo2() {
   setLayout(new BoxLayout(this, BoxLayout.PAGE_AXIS));
   String[] patternExamples = { "dd MMMMM yyyy", "dd.MM.yy", "MM/dd/yy",
       "yyyy.MM.dd G "at" hh:mm:ss z", "EEE, MMM d, ""yy", "h:mm a", "H:mm:ss:SSS", "K:mm a,z",
       "yyyy.MMMMM.dd GGG hh:mm aaa" };
   currentPattern = patternExamples[0];
   // Set up the UI for selecting a pattern.
   JLabel patternLabel1 = new JLabel("Enter the pattern string or");
   JLabel patternLabel2 = new JLabel("select one from the list:");
   JComboBox patternList = new JComboBox(patternExamples);
   patternList.setEditable(true);
   patternList.addActionListener(this);
   // Create the UI for displaying result.
   JLabel resultLabel = new JLabel("Current Date/Time", JLabel.LEADING); // ==
                                                                         // LEFT
   result = new JLabel(" ");
   result.setForeground(Color.black);
   result.setBorder(BorderFactory.createCompoundBorder(
       BorderFactory.createLineBorder(Color.black), BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5)));
   // Lay out everything.
   JPanel patternPanel = new JPanel();
   patternPanel.setLayout(new BoxLayout(patternPanel, BoxLayout.PAGE_AXIS));
   patternPanel.add(patternLabel1);
   patternPanel.add(patternLabel2);
   patternList.setAlignmentX(Component.LEFT_ALIGNMENT);
   patternPanel.add(patternList);
   JPanel resultPanel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(0, 1));
   resultPanel.add(resultLabel);
   resultPanel.add(result);
   patternPanel.setAlignmentX(Component.LEFT_ALIGNMENT);
   resultPanel.setAlignmentX(Component.LEFT_ALIGNMENT);
   add(patternPanel);
   add(Box.createRigidArea(new Dimension(0, 10)));
   add(resultPanel);
   setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(10, 10, 10, 10));
   reformat();
 } // constructor
 public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
   JComboBox cb = (JComboBox) e.getSource();
   String newSelection = (String) cb.getSelectedItem();
   currentPattern = newSelection;
   reformat();
 }
 /** Formats and displays today"s date. */
 public void reformat() {
   Date today = new Date();
   SimpleDateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat(currentPattern);
   try {
     String dateString = formatter.format(today);
     result.setForeground(Color.black);
     result.setText(dateString);
   } catch (IllegalArgumentException iae) {
     result.setForeground(Color.red);
     result.setText("Error: " + iae.getMessage());
   }
 }
 /**
  * Create the GUI and show it. For thread safety, this method should be
  * invoked from the event-dispatching thread.
  */
 private static void createAndShowGUI() {
   // Create and set up the window.
   JFrame frame = new JFrame("ComboBoxDemo2");
   frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
   // Create and set up the content pane.
   JComponent newContentPane = new ComboBoxDemo2();
   newContentPane.setOpaque(true); // content panes must be opaque
   frame.setContentPane(newContentPane);
   // Display the window.
   frame.pack();
   frame.setVisible(true);
 }
 public static void main(String[] args) {
   // Schedule a job for the event-dispatching thread:
   // creating and showing this application"s GUI.
   javax.swing.SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
     public void run() {
       createAndShowGUI();
     }
   });
 }

}</source>