Java/Database SQL JDBC/Date Time Timestamp — различия между версиями

Материал из Java эксперт
Перейти к: навигация, поиск
 
м (1 версия)
 
(нет различий)

Текущая версия на 06:34, 1 июня 2010

Compare two times

  
/**
 * Copyright (c) 2003 - 2007 OpenSubsystems s.r.o. Slovak Republic. All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Project: OpenSubsystems
 * 
 * $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * 
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation; version 2 of the License. 
 * 
 * This program 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 General Public License for more details.
 * 
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA 
 */

import java.sql.Timestamp;
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.ParseException;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;

/**
 * Collection of useful utilities to work with dates. 
 * 
 * @version $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * @author Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewer Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewed 1.5 2005/09/13 13:23:15 bastafidli
 */
public final class DateUtils
{
   // Constants ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * One second in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_SECOND = 1000L;
   
   /**
    * One minute in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_MINUTE = ONE_SECOND * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One hour in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_HOUR = ONE_MINUTE * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One day in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_DAY = ONE_HOUR * 24L;
   
   /**
    * Separator we used to separate time from the nanosecond portion of the 
    * timestamp when converted to string.
    */
   public static final char NANO_SEPARATOR = ":";
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NEVER = 0;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MINUTES = 1;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_HOURS = 2;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_DAYS = 3;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_WEEKS = 4;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MONTHS = 5;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_YEARS = 6;
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NONE = 7;
   /**
    * Constant for current date code used in date/time formulas 
    */
   public static final String CURRENT_DATE_CODE = "now";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char YEAR_CODE = "y";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MONTH_CODE = "M";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char WEEK_CODE = "w";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char DAY_CODE = "d";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char HOUR_CODE = "h";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MINUTE_CODE = "m";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char SECOND_CODE = "s";
   /**
    * constant for date type DATE
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATE = 1;
   /**
    * constant for date type TIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_TIME = 2;
   /**
    * constant for date type DATETIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATETIME = 3;
   
   // Constants for period start types /////////////////////////////////////////
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// constants was fixed
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE = 0;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_CREATION = 1;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_COMPLETION = 2;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_APPROVAL = 3;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_ACTIVATION = 4;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_INACTIVATION = 5;
//   
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC = 6;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type code
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_TYPE_CODE = 99;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type object
//    */
//   public static final Integer PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ = new Integer(PERIOD_TYPE_CODE);
   // Cached variables /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT, 
                                                           DateFormat.MEDIUM); 
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to store date as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_STORE_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to store time as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to store date and time as 
    * string so that it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss");

   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format for sql date
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_SQL_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd 00:00:00");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format for sql time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("1970-01-01 HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format for sql date and time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss");
   // Constructors /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /** 
    * Private constructor since this class cannot be instantiated
    */
   private DateUtils(
   )
   {
      // Do nothing
   }
   
   // Public methods ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * Check if two dates equals regardless of the time. Two null dates are equal. 
    * Null and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date to compare, can be null 
    * @return boolean - true if two dates equals regardless of what the time is 
    */
   public static boolean dateEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iEra;
               int      iYear;
               int      iMonth;
               int      iDay;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iEra   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA);
               iYear  = compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR);
               iMonth = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH);
               iDay   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iEra == compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA))
                         && (iYear == compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR))
                         && (iMonth == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH))
                         && (iDay == compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE)));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   
   /**
    * Check if two times equals regardless of the date. Two null times are equal. 
    * Null and not null times are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second time to compare, can be null
    * @param  bIgnoreMilliseconds - if true milliseconds will be ignored in comparison
    * @return boolean - true if two time equals regardless of what the date is 
    */
   public static boolean timeEquals(
      Date    dtFirst,
      Date    dtSecond,
      boolean bIgnoreMilliseconds
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iHour;
               int      iMinute;
               int      iSecond;
               int      iMili;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iHour   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
               iMinute = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE);
               iSecond = compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND);
               iMili   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iHour == compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY))
                         && (iMinute == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE))
                         && (iSecond == compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND))
                         && ((bIgnoreMilliseconds) 
                            || (iMili == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND))));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if two dates and times are equal. Two null dates are equal. Null 
    * and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date time to compare, can be null
    * @return boolean - true if two date and times are equal 
    */
   public static boolean dateAndTimeEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               // They are both not null so they have to match to millisecond
               // (actually to nanosecond since the getTime takes nanoseconds
               // into account)
               bReturn = (dtFirst.getTime() == dtSecond.getTime());                               
            }
         }
      }
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if String representing date is function or date. Date is a function
    * (formula) if it starts with the current date/time variable which can be 
    * followed by expression describing period from current date.
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @return boolean - date function flag
    */
   public static boolean isFunction(
      String   strValue
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      if ((strValue != null) && (strValue.length() > 0) 
         && (strValue.trim().startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE)))
      {
         bReturn = true;
      }
      
      return bReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse date time value from given string resolving any functions or formulas
    * the string can contain. This method  can be therefore used if the passed 
    * string contains string representation date, time or timestamp or a formula
    * such as now + 3h - 1m + 4d. 
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @param iDateType - date type code, one of the DATE_TYPE_XXX constants
    * @param stored - flag if Date should be parsed using format used for 
    *                 storage or for display
    * @return Timestamp - parsed date or null if date was null
    * @throws OSSInvalidDataException - error during parsing
    */
   public static Timestamp parseDateTime(
      String   strValue,
      int      iDateType,
      boolean  stored
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar workCal = GregorianCalendar.getInstance();
      
      if (strValue != null && strValue.length() > 0)
      {
         strValue = strValue.trim();
         if (strValue.startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE))
         {
            strValue = strValue.replaceAll("[ ]", "");
            // If the user specified "UseCurrent", then substitute the
            // current date/time in the value
            workCal.setTime(new Date());
//            Log.getInstance().debug("Parsing current date " + strValue);
            // Parse the date math
            int iBeginIndex = CURRENT_DATE_CODE.length();
            int iMaxLength = strValue.length();
            int iSign = 1;
            int iNumberIndex;
            int iValue;
            char cChar = " ";
            while (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength)
            {
               // This has to be sign
               if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "+")
               {
                  iSign = 1;
               }
               else if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "-")
               {
                  iSign = -1;
               }
               else
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
               // Now we have to have number
               iNumberIndex = iBeginIndex;
               
               while (((iBeginIndex == iNumberIndex) || Character.isDigit(cChar)) 
                     && (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength))
               {
                  cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex++);
               }
               // We have to go one back because we should stop on modifier (e.g 1m)
               iBeginIndex--;
               try
               {
                  iValue = Integer.parseInt(strValue.substring(iNumberIndex, iBeginIndex));
               }
               catch (NumberFormatException nmeExc)
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iNumberIndex));
               }
               // This has to be modifier: y - year, M - month, w - week, 
               // d - day, h - hour, m - minute, s - second
               cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex);
               switch(cChar)
               {
                  case(YEAR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used YEAR modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MONTH_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MONTH modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MONTH, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(WEEK_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used WEEK modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(DAY_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used DAY modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.DATE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(HOUR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used HOUR modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.HOUR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MINUTE_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MINUTE modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(SECOND_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used SECOND modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.SECOND, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  default:
                  {
                     // Incorrect String
                     throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
                  }
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
            }
            
            tsReturn = new Timestamp(workCal.getTimeInMillis());
            
         }
         else
         {
            try
            {
               if (stored)
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }
                  }                  
               }
               else
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }                  
                  }                  
               }
            }
            catch (ParseException peExc)
            {
               throw new RuntimeException(
                     "Date is in incorrect format. Problems with parsing.",
                     peExc);
            }
         }
      }
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying number of days the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - period in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s)" or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayPeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lDays = 0L;
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_DAY - 1;
         
         lDays = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         sbReturn.append(lDays);
         if (lDays == 1L)
         {
            sbReturn.append(" day");
         }
         else
         {
            sbReturn.append(" days");
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 days");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying date and time the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - preiod in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s) y hour(s) z minute(s)" 
    *                  or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayTimePeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lHelp = 0L;
      
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE - 1;
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         if (lHelp > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 min");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI related class.
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypes(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                                                           "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types with None option.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypesWithNone(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NONE), "None"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                         "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for getting string name of the timing type.
//    * 
//    * @param iTimingType - timing type constant
//    * @return String - string name of timing type
//    */
//   public static String getTimingTypeName(
//      int iTimingType
//   )
//   {
//      String outTimingTypeName = "Never"; 
//      switch (iTimingType)      
//      {
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Never";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Minute(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Hour(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Day(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Week(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Month(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Year(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NONE):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "None";
//            break;
//         }
//      }
//
//      return outTimingTypeName;
//   }
   
   /**
    * Get expiration timestamp from start date, period type and duration. For 
    * example if the start date is now, period type is hour and duration is 2
    * then the result will be timestamp representing now + 2 hours.  
    * 
    * @param tsStartDate - start date of period counting
    * @param iPeriodType - one of the period type constant TIMING_XXX 
    * @param iPeriodDuration - period duration, number of time units specified 
    *                          by period type
    * @return Timestamp - date of period expiration or null if any problem
    */
   public static Timestamp getPeriodExpiration(
      Timestamp tsStartDate,
      int       iPeriodType,
      int       iPeriodDuration
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar calHelp;
      if (tsStartDate != null && iPeriodDuration > 0 
            && iPeriodType > TIMING_NEVER && iPeriodType < TIMING_NONE)
      {
         calHelp = Calendar.getInstance();
         calHelp.setTime(tsStartDate);
         
         switch (iPeriodType)
         {
            case (TIMING_MINUTES) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_HOURS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.HOUR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_DAYS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.DATE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_WEEKS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_MONTHS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MONTH, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_YEARS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            default :
            {
               assert false : "Not supported Timing type " + iPeriodType;
            } 
         }
         tsReturn = new Timestamp(calHelp.getTimeInMillis());
      }
      
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Method to compare time periods
    * 
    * @param iPeriodType1 - first period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration1 - first period duration
    * @param iPeriodType2 - second period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration2 - second period duration
    * @return int - 1 - first period is longer
    *               0 - periods are same
    *              -1 - first period is shorter
    */
   public static int comparePeriods(
      int iPeriodType1,
      int iPeriodDuration1,
      int iPeriodType2,
      int iPeriodDuration2
   )
   {
      int iReturn = 0;
      
      if ((iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NONE) 
         && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NONE))
      {
         Timestamp tsTimestamp1 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType1, iPeriodDuration1);
         Timestamp tsTimestamp2 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType2, iPeriodDuration2);
         
         // TODO: Improve: When would any of these be null?
         if ((tsTimestamp1 != null) && (tsTimestamp2 != null))
         {
            if (tsTimestamp1.after(tsTimestamp2))
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (tsTimestamp2.after(tsTimestamp1))
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         if (iPeriodType1 != iPeriodType2)
         {
            if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
         }
      }
      return iReturn;      
   }
   
   /**
    * Convert timestamp to string including it"s nanosecond portion so that it 
    * can be safely stored in variable of web page.
    * 
    * @param tsTimestamp - timestamp to convert
    * @return String - text containing time and nanosecond portion of timestamp
    */
   public static String getTimestampAsString(
      Timestamp tsTimestamp
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbTimestamp = new StringBuffer();
      
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getTime());
      sbTimestamp.append(NANO_SEPARATOR);
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getNanos());
      
      return sbTimestamp.toString();
   }
   

   /**
    * Function returns time string in the form MM:SS.MS from the input specified in miliseconds. 
    * 
    * @param lTimeInMiliseconds - time in miliseconds
    * @return String - string representation of miliseconds in the form MM:SS.MS
    */
   public static String getStringTime(
      long lTimeInMiliseconds
   )
   {
      long lTotalMS   = lTimeInMiliseconds;
      long lMS        = lTotalMS % 1000;
      long lTotalSecs = lTotalMS / 1000;
      long lSecs      = lTotalSecs % 60;
      long lTotalMins = lTotalSecs / 60;
      long lMinutes   = lTotalMins % 60;
      long lHours     = lTotalMins / 60;
      StringBuffer sbBuffer = new StringBuffer();
      if (lHours > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lHours);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lMinutes > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lSecs > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" seconds");
      }
      else
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" ms");
      }
      
      return sbBuffer.toString();
   }
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI or business logic related class.
//   /**
//    * Method to check if valid period settings
//    * 
//    * @param iPeriod - period length
//    * @param iPeriodType - period type
//    * @param iPeriodStartType - period start type
//    * @param iAttributeId - attribute ID for dynamic period start type
//    * @param bPeriodException - period exception flag
//    * @param strPeriodName - period name used for exception message
//    * @param bAdvancePeriodType - flag if advanced period type (includes also start type)
//    * @param bfideException - invalid data exception
//    */
//   public static void validatePeriod(
//      int iPeriod,
//      int iPeriodType,
//      int iPeriodStartType,
//      int iAttributeId,
//      boolean bPeriodException,
//      String strPeriodName,
//      boolean bAdvancePeriodType,
//      OSSInvalidDataException messageException
//   ) 
//   {
//      if ((iPeriod > 0) 
//         || ((iPeriodType != TIMING_NONE) && (iPeriodType != TIMING_NEVER)) 
//         || (bPeriodException) || (iPeriodStartType != PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//      {
//         if (iPeriod <= 0)
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period length for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((iPeriodType == TIMING_NONE) || (iPeriodType == TIMING_NEVER))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period start type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) 
//                 && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC) 
//                 && (iAttributeId == DataObject.NEW_ID))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period dynamic start attribute for " 
//               + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//      }
//   }
}





Construct java.sql.Timestamp from string

  
public class DateLabel {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    java.util.Date today = new java.util.Date();
    java.sql.Timestamp ts1 = new java.sql.Timestamp(today.getTime());
    java.sql.Timestamp ts2 = java.sql.Timestamp.valueOf("2005-04-06 09:01:10");
    long tsTime1 = ts1.getTime();
    long tsTime2 = ts2.getTime();
    
    System.out.println(tsTime1);
    System.out.println(tsTime2);
  }
}





Convert an Object to a DateTime, without an Exception

  
/*
 * Copyright Javelin Software, All rights reserved.
 */

import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;
/**
 * The DateUtil is used as a Utility Class for Dates.
 * 
 * @author Robin Sharp
 */
public class DateUtil 
{
    public final static long SECOND_MILLIS = 1000;
    public final static long MINUTE_MILLIS = SECOND_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long HOUR_MILLIS = MINUTE_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long DAY_MILLIS = HOUR_MILLIS*24;
    public final static long YEAR_MILLIS = DAY_MILLIS*365;
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yyyy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat IN_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat DATE_TIME_FORMAT= new SimpleDateFormat( "yyyyMMddkkmmss" );  
    public static Calendar calendar = new GregorianCalendar();
    static
    {
        IN_DATE_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_TIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new DateTime. To the last second. This will not create any 
     * extra-millis-seconds, which may cause bugs when writing to stores such as
     * databases that round milli-seconds up and down. 
     */
    public static java.util.Date newDateTime()
    {
        return new java.util.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/SECOND_MILLIS)*SECOND_MILLIS);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new Date. To the last day.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date newDate()
    {
        return new java.sql.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/DAY_MILLIS)*DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Time, with no date component. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Time newTime()
    {
        return new java.sql.Time( System.currentTimeMillis()%DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Timestamp. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp newTimestamp()
    {
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( System.currentTimeMillis() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the seconds difference
     */
    public static int secondsDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS));
    }
    /**
     * Get the minutes difference
     */
    public static int minutesDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the hours difference
     */
    public static int hoursDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the days difference
     */
    public static int daysDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS));
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Time forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Time rollTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Time(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.util.Date rollDateTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.util.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.sql.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDate( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the years forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param years - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollYears( java.util.Date startDate, int years )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.YEAR, years );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param months - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollMonths( java.util.Date startDate, int months )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.MONTH, months );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param days - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDays( java.util.Date startDate, int days )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.DATE, days );
    }
    
     /**
      * Checks the day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear();
     }
     
     /**
      * Checks the hour, minute and second are equal.
      */
     public static boolean timeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }

    /**
      * Checks the second, hour, month, day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateTimeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;               
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear() &&
               d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }
     
     /**
     * Convert an Object of type Classs to an Object.
     */
    public static Object toObject( Class clazz, Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;
        if( clazz == null ) return value;
        
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDate( value );
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTime( value );
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTimestamp( value );
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDateTime( value );
        
        return value;
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.util.Date getDateTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDateTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime.
     */
    public static java.util.Date toDateTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.util.Date ) return (java.util.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value );
        }
                
        return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Date getDate( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDate( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date toDate( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Date ) return (java.sql.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Time getTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time.
     */
    public static java.sql.Time toTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Time ) return (java.sql.Time)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp getTimestamp( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTimestamp( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp.
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp toTimestamp( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Timestamp ) return (java.sql.Timestamp)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Tells you if the date part of a datetime is in a certain time range.
     */
    public static boolean isTimeInRange( java.sql.Time start, java.sql.Time end, java.util.Date d )
    {
        d=new java.sql.Time(d.getHours(),d.getMinutes(),d.getSeconds());
        
        if (start==null || end==null)
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (start.before(end)&&(!(d.after(start)&&d.before(end))))
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (end.before(start)&&(!(d.after(end)||d.before(start))))
        {
            return false;
        }   
        return true;
    }
    public static  int getYear( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.YEAR );
    }
    public static int getMonth( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MONTH );
    }
    public static int getDate( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.DATE );
    }
    public static int getHour( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.HOUR );
    }
    public static int getMinute( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MINUTE );
    }
    public static int getSeconds( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.SECOND );
    }
    public static int getMillisecond( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MILLISECOND );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a String using Dates
     */
    public static String toString( Object date )
    {
        if( date == null ) return null;
        
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATE_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        
        throw new IllegalArgumentException( "Unsupported type " + date.getClass() );
    }
}





Convert an Object to a java.sql.Time

  
/*
 * Copyright Javelin Software, All rights reserved.
 */

import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;
/**
 * The DateUtil is used as a Utility Class for Dates.
 * 
 * @author Robin Sharp
 */
public class DateUtil 
{
    public final static long SECOND_MILLIS = 1000;
    public final static long MINUTE_MILLIS = SECOND_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long HOUR_MILLIS = MINUTE_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long DAY_MILLIS = HOUR_MILLIS*24;
    public final static long YEAR_MILLIS = DAY_MILLIS*365;
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yyyy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat IN_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat DATE_TIME_FORMAT= new SimpleDateFormat( "yyyyMMddkkmmss" );  
    public static Calendar calendar = new GregorianCalendar();
    static
    {
        IN_DATE_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_TIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new DateTime. To the last second. This will not create any 
     * extra-millis-seconds, which may cause bugs when writing to stores such as
     * databases that round milli-seconds up and down. 
     */
    public static java.util.Date newDateTime()
    {
        return new java.util.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/SECOND_MILLIS)*SECOND_MILLIS);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new Date. To the last day.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date newDate()
    {
        return new java.sql.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/DAY_MILLIS)*DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Time, with no date component. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Time newTime()
    {
        return new java.sql.Time( System.currentTimeMillis()%DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Timestamp. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp newTimestamp()
    {
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( System.currentTimeMillis() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the seconds difference
     */
    public static int secondsDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS));
    }
    /**
     * Get the minutes difference
     */
    public static int minutesDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the hours difference
     */
    public static int hoursDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the days difference
     */
    public static int daysDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS));
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Time forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Time rollTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Time(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.util.Date rollDateTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.util.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.sql.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDate( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the years forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param years - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollYears( java.util.Date startDate, int years )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.YEAR, years );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param months - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollMonths( java.util.Date startDate, int months )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.MONTH, months );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param days - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDays( java.util.Date startDate, int days )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.DATE, days );
    }
    
     /**
      * Checks the day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear();
     }
     
     /**
      * Checks the hour, minute and second are equal.
      */
     public static boolean timeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }

    /**
      * Checks the second, hour, month, day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateTimeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;               
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear() &&
               d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }
     
     /**
     * Convert an Object of type Classs to an Object.
     */
    public static Object toObject( Class clazz, Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;
        if( clazz == null ) return value;
        
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDate( value );
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTime( value );
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTimestamp( value );
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDateTime( value );
        
        return value;
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.util.Date getDateTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDateTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime.
     */
    public static java.util.Date toDateTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.util.Date ) return (java.util.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value );
        }
                
        return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Date getDate( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDate( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date toDate( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Date ) return (java.sql.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Time getTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time.
     */
    public static java.sql.Time toTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Time ) return (java.sql.Time)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp getTimestamp( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTimestamp( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp.
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp toTimestamp( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Timestamp ) return (java.sql.Timestamp)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Tells you if the date part of a datetime is in a certain time range.
     */
    public static boolean isTimeInRange( java.sql.Time start, java.sql.Time end, java.util.Date d )
    {
        d=new java.sql.Time(d.getHours(),d.getMinutes(),d.getSeconds());
        
        if (start==null || end==null)
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (start.before(end)&&(!(d.after(start)&&d.before(end))))
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (end.before(start)&&(!(d.after(end)||d.before(start))))
        {
            return false;
        }   
        return true;
    }
    public static  int getYear( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.YEAR );
    }
    public static int getMonth( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MONTH );
    }
    public static int getDate( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.DATE );
    }
    public static int getHour( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.HOUR );
    }
    public static int getMinute( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MINUTE );
    }
    public static int getSeconds( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.SECOND );
    }
    public static int getMillisecond( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MILLISECOND );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a String using Dates
     */
    public static String toString( Object date )
    {
        if( date == null ) return null;
        
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATE_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        
        throw new IllegalArgumentException( "Unsupported type " + date.getClass() );
    }
}





Convert an Object to a Timestamp, without an Exception

  
/*
 * Copyright Javelin Software, All rights reserved.
 */

import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;
/**
 * The DateUtil is used as a Utility Class for Dates.
 * 
 * @author Robin Sharp
 */
public class DateUtil 
{
    public final static long SECOND_MILLIS = 1000;
    public final static long MINUTE_MILLIS = SECOND_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long HOUR_MILLIS = MINUTE_MILLIS*60;
    public final static long DAY_MILLIS = HOUR_MILLIS*24;
    public final static long YEAR_MILLIS = DAY_MILLIS*365;
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yyyy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat IN_DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_DATETIME_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss");
    public static DateFormat IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("d/M/yy H:mm:ss.SSS");
    
    public static DateFormat DATE_TIME_FORMAT= new SimpleDateFormat( "yyyyMMddkkmmss" );  
    public static Calendar calendar = new GregorianCalendar();
    static
    {
        IN_DATE_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_TIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
        IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.setLenient(false);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new DateTime. To the last second. This will not create any 
     * extra-millis-seconds, which may cause bugs when writing to stores such as
     * databases that round milli-seconds up and down. 
     */
    public static java.util.Date newDateTime()
    {
        return new java.util.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/SECOND_MILLIS)*SECOND_MILLIS);
    }
    /**
     * Create a new Date. To the last day.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date newDate()
    {
        return new java.sql.Date( (System.currentTimeMillis()/DAY_MILLIS)*DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Time, with no date component. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Time newTime()
    {
        return new java.sql.Time( System.currentTimeMillis()%DAY_MILLIS);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create a new Timestamp. 
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp newTimestamp()
    {
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( System.currentTimeMillis() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the seconds difference
     */
    public static int secondsDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/SECOND_MILLIS));
    }
    /**
     * Get the minutes difference
     */
    public static int minutesDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/MINUTE_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the hours difference
     */
    public static int hoursDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/HOUR_MILLIS));
    }
    
    /**
     * Get the days difference
     */
    public static int daysDiff( Date earlierDate, Date laterDate )
    {
        if( earlierDate == null || laterDate == null ) return 0;
        
        return (int)((laterDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS) - (earlierDate.getTime()/DAY_MILLIS));
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Time forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Time rollTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Time(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.util.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.util.Date rollDateTime( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.util.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the java.sql.Date forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @period Calendar.YEAR etc
    * @param amount - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDate( java.util.Date startDate, int period, int amount )
    {
        GregorianCalendar gc = new GregorianCalendar();
        gc.setTime(startDate);
        gc.add(period, amount);
        return new java.sql.Date(gc.getTime().getTime());
    }
    
   /**
    * Roll the years forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param years - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollYears( java.util.Date startDate, int years )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.YEAR, years );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param months - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollMonths( java.util.Date startDate, int months )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.MONTH, months );
    }
   /**
    * Roll the days forward or backward.
    * @param startDate - The start date
    * @param days - Negative to rollbackwards.
    */
    public static java.sql.Date rollDays( java.util.Date startDate, int days )
    {
        return rollDate( startDate, Calendar.DATE, days );
    }
    
     /**
      * Checks the day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear();
     }
     
     /**
      * Checks the hour, minute and second are equal.
      */
     public static boolean timeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;
        
        return d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }

    /**
      * Checks the second, hour, month, day, month and year are equal.
      */
     public static boolean dateTimeEquals( java.util.Date d1, java.util.Date d2 )
     {
        if( d1 == null || d2 == null ) return false;               
        
        return d1.getDate() == d2.getDate() &&
               d1.getMonth() == d2.getMonth() &&
               d1.getYear() == d2.getYear() &&
               d1.getHours() == d2.getHours() &&
               d1.getMinutes() == d2.getMinutes() &&
               d1.getSeconds() == d2.getSeconds();
     }
     
     /**
     * Convert an Object of type Classs to an Object.
     */
    public static Object toObject( Class clazz, Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;
        if( clazz == null ) return value;
        
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDate( value );
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTime( value );
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toTimestamp( value );
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( clazz ) ) return toDateTime( value );
        
        return value;
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.util.Date getDateTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDateTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a DateTime.
     */
    public static java.util.Date toDateTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.util.Date ) return (java.util.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value );
        }
                
        return IN_DATETIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Date getDate( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toDate( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Date.
     */
    public static java.sql.Date toDate( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Date ) return (java.sql.Date)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Date( IN_DATE_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Time getTime( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTime( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Time.
     */
    public static java.sql.Time toTime( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Time ) return (java.sql.Time)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Time( IN_TIME_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp, without an Exception
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp getTimestamp( Object value )
    {
        try
        {
            return toTimestamp( value );
        }
        catch( ParseException pe )
        {
            pe.printStackTrace();
            return null;
        }
    }
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a Timestamp.
     */
    public static java.sql.Timestamp toTimestamp( Object value ) throws ParseException
    {
        if( value == null ) return null;        
        if( value instanceof java.sql.Timestamp ) return (java.sql.Timestamp)value;
        if( value instanceof String )
        {
            if( "".equals( (String)value ) ) return null;
            return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( (String)value ).getTime() );
        }
                
        return new java.sql.Timestamp( IN_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.parse( value.toString() ).getTime() );
    }
    
    /**
     * Tells you if the date part of a datetime is in a certain time range.
     */
    public static boolean isTimeInRange( java.sql.Time start, java.sql.Time end, java.util.Date d )
    {
        d=new java.sql.Time(d.getHours(),d.getMinutes(),d.getSeconds());
        
        if (start==null || end==null)
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (start.before(end)&&(!(d.after(start)&&d.before(end))))
        {
            return false;
        }
        
        if (end.before(start)&&(!(d.after(end)||d.before(start))))
        {
            return false;
        }   
        return true;
    }
    public static  int getYear( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.YEAR );
    }
    public static int getMonth( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MONTH );
    }
    public static int getDate( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.DATE );
    }
    public static int getHour( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.HOUR );
    }
    public static int getMinute( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MINUTE );
    }
    public static int getSeconds( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.SECOND );
    }
    public static int getMillisecond( Date date )
    {
        calendar.setTime( date );
        return calendar.get( Calendar.MILLISECOND );
    }
    
    /**
     * Convert an Object to a String using Dates
     */
    public static String toString( Object date )
    {
        if( date == null ) return null;
        
        if( java.sql.Timestamp.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Time.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_TIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.sql.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATE_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        if( java.util.Date.class.isAssignableFrom( date.getClass() ) )
        {
            return OUT_DATETIME_FORMAT.format( date );
        }
        
        throw new IllegalArgumentException( "Unsupported type " + date.getClass() );
    }
}





Convert into java.sql.Time (or into java.util.Calendar)

 
import java.sql.Time;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;
/**
 * Provides methods helpful in making object conversions not provided for by the
 * Sun or MyFaces distributions.
 * 
 * @author 
 * 
 */
public class ConversionUtil {
  /**
   * convert into java.sql.Time (or into java.util.Calendar
   * 
   * @param date
   *          The date containing the time.
   * @param am
   *          Whether this should be am (true) or pm (false)
   * @return
   */
  public static Time convertDateToTime(Date date, boolean am) {
    if (date == null) {
      return null;
    }
    Calendar cal = new GregorianCalendar();
    cal.setTime(date);
    int hourOfDay = cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
    if (am) {
      // Check to make sure that the hours are indeed am hours
      if (hourOfDay > 11) {
        cal.set(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY, hourOfDay - 12);
        date.setTime(cal.getTimeInMillis());
      }
    } else {
      // Check to make sure that the hours are indeed pm hours
      if (cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY) < 11) {
        cal.set(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY, hourOfDay + 12);
        date.setTime(cal.getTimeInMillis());
      }
    }
    return new Time(date.getTime());
  }
}





Convert java.sql.Timestamp to long for easy compare

  
public class DateLabel {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    java.util.Date today = new java.util.Date();
    java.sql.Timestamp ts1 = new java.sql.Timestamp(today.getTime());
    java.sql.Timestamp ts2 = java.sql.Timestamp.valueOf("2005-04-06 09:01:10");
    long tsTime1 = ts1.getTime();
    long tsTime2 = ts2.getTime();
    
    System.out.println(tsTime1);
    System.out.println(tsTime2);
  }
}





convert Strings to Dates and Timestamps and vice versa.

  
/*
 *  Copyright 2004 Blandware (http://www.blandware.ru)
 *
 *  Licensed 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.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.ParseException;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.Locale;
import java.util.HashMap;

/**
 * <p>Date Utility Class.
 * This is used to convert Strings to Dates and Timestamps and vice versa.
 * </p>
 * <p>
 * @version $Revision: 1.12 $ $Date: 2008/01/14 10:59:49 $
 */
public class DateUtil {
    
    protected static String datePattern = "MM/dd/yyyy";
    protected static HashMap patterns = new HashMap();

    
    /**
     * Formats given date according to specified locale and date style
     *
     * @param date      Date to convert
     * @param locale    Locale to use for formatting date
     * @param dateStyle Date style
     * @return String representation of date according to given locale and date style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static String formatDate(Date date, Locale locale, int dateStyle) {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getDateInstance(dateStyle, locale);
        return formatter.format(date);
    }
    /**
     * Formats given date according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param date   Date to convert
     * @param locale Locale to use for formatting date
     * @return String representation of date according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static String formatDate(Date date, Locale locale) {
        return formatDate(date, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and date style
     *
     * @param source    Source string to parse date from
     * @param locale    Locale to use for parsing date
     * @param dateStyle Date style
     * @return Date object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static Date parseDate(String source, Locale locale, int dateStyle) throws ParseException {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getDateInstance(dateStyle, locale);
        return formatter.parse(source);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param source Source string to parse date from
     * @param locale Locale to use for parsing date
     * @return Date object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static Date parseDate(String source, Locale locale) throws ParseException {
        return parseDate(source, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }

    /**
     * Formats given time according to specified locale and time style
     *
     * @param time      Time to convert
     * @param locale    Locale to use for formatting time
     * @param timeStyle Time style
     * @return String representation of time according to given locale and time style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static String formatTime(Date time, Locale locale, int timeStyle) {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(timeStyle, locale);
        return formatter.format(time);
    }
    /**
     * Formats given time according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param time   Time to convert
     * @param locale Locale to use for formatting time
     * @return String representation of time according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static String formatTime(Date time, Locale locale) {
        return formatTime(time, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and time style
     *
     * @param source    Source string to parse time from
     * @param locale    Locale to use for parsing time
     * @param timeStyle Time style
     * @return Time object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static Date parseTime(String source, Locale locale, int timeStyle) throws ParseException {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(timeStyle, locale);
        return formatter.parse(source);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param source Source string to parse time from
     * @param locale Locale to use for parsing time
     * @return Time object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static Date parseTime(String source, Locale locale) throws ParseException {
        return parseTime(source, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
    /**
     * Formats given date and time according to specified locale and date style
     *
     * @param date      Date object to convert
     * @param locale    Locale to use for formatting date and time
     * @param dateStyle Date style
     * @param timeStyle Time style
     * @return String representation of date and time according to given locale and date style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static String formatDateTime(Date date, Locale locale, int dateStyle, int timeStyle) {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(dateStyle, timeStyle, locale);
        return formatter.format(date);
    }
    /**
     * Formats given date and time according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param date   Date object to convert
     * @param locale Locale to use for formatting date and time
     * @return String representation of date and time according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static String formatDateTime(Date date, Locale locale) {
        return formatDateTime(date, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and date and time styles
     *
     * @param source    Source string to parse date and time from
     * @param locale    Locale to use for parsing date and time
     * @param dateStyle Date style
     * @param timeStyle Time style
     * @return Date object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     */
    public static Date parseDateTime(String source, Locale locale, int dateStyle, int timeStyle) throws ParseException {
        DateFormat formatter = DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(dateStyle, timeStyle, locale);
        return formatter.parse(source);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     *
     * @param source Source string to parse date and time from
     * @param locale Locale to use for parsing date and time
     * @return Date object corresponding to representation given in source string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.DateFormat
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static Date parseDateTime(String source, Locale locale) throws ParseException {
        return parseDateTime(source, locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
    /**
     * Formats given Date object according to specified locale and a given
     * pattern.
     *
     * @param date   Date object to convert
     * @param locale Locale to use for formatting
     * @param pattern Pattern to use
     * @return String representation of date and time according to given locale and <code>DateFormat.MEDIUM</code> style
     * @see java.text.SimpleDateFormat
     */
    public static String format(Date date, Locale locale, String pattern) {
        SimpleDateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat(pattern, locale);
        return formatter.format(date);
    }
    /**
     * Parses given string according to specified locale and a given pattern.
     *
     * @param source Source string to parse date and time from
     * @param locale Locale to use for parsing date and time
     * @param pattern Pattern to use
     * @return Date object corresponding to representation given in source
     * string
     * @throws ParseException if given string could not be properly parsed
     * according to given locale and pattern
     * @see java.text.SimpleDateFormat
     */
    public static Date parse(String source, Locale locale, String pattern)
            throws ParseException {
        SimpleDateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat(pattern, locale);
        return formatter.parse(source);
    }
    /**
     * Returns default datePattern (MM/dd/yyyy)
     *
     * @return a string representing the date pattern on the UI
     */
    public static String getDatePattern() {
        return datePattern;
    }
    /**
     * Gets date pattern without time symbols according to given locale and date style
     *
     * @param locale    Locale to searh pattern for
     * @param dateStyle Date style to search pattern by
     * @return Date pattern without time symbols
     */
    public static String getDatePattern(Locale locale, int dateStyle) {
        String id = locale.toString() + "+" + dateStyle;
        String pattern = (String) patterns.get(id);
        if (pattern == null) {
            SimpleDateFormat format = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateInstance(dateStyle, locale);
            pattern = format.toPattern();
            patterns.put(id, pattern);
        }
        return pattern;
    }
    /**
     * Gets date pattern without time symbols according to given locale in MEDIUM style
     *
     * @param locale Locale to searh pattern for
     * @return Date pattern without time symbols in medium format
     * @see java.text.DateFormat#MEDIUM
     */
    public static String getDatePattern(Locale locale) {
        return getDatePattern(locale, DateFormat.MEDIUM);
    }
}





Get Date From MySql

  
import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.ResultSet;
import java.sql.SQLException;
import java.sql.Statement;
public class GetDateFromMySql {
  public static Connection getMySQLConnection() throws Exception {
    String driver = "org.gjt.mm.mysql.Driver";
    String url = "jdbc:mysql://localhost/databaseName";
    String username = "root";
    String password = "root";
    Class.forName(driver);
    return DriverManager.getConnection(url, username, password);
  }
  public static void main(String args[]) {
    ResultSet rs = null;
    Connection conn = null;
    Statement stmt = null;
    try {
      conn = getMySQLConnection();
      stmt = conn.createStatement();
      rs = stmt.executeQuery("select timeCol, dateCol, dateTimeCol from dateTimeTable");
      while (rs.next()) {
        java.sql.Time dbSqlTime = rs.getTime(1);
        java.sql.Date dbSqlDate = rs.getDate(2);
        java.sql.Timestamp dbSqlTimestamp = rs.getTimestamp(3);
        System.out.println("dbSqlTime=" + dbSqlTime);
        System.out.println("dbSqlDate=" + dbSqlDate);
        System.out.println("dbSqlTimestamp=" + dbSqlTimestamp);
        java.util.Date dbSqlTimeConverted = new java.util.Date(dbSqlTime.getTime());
        java.util.Date dbSqlDateConverted = new java.util.Date(dbSqlDate.getTime());
        System.out.println("in standard date");
        System.out.println(dbSqlTimeConverted);
        System.out.println(dbSqlDateConverted);
      }
    } catch (Exception e) {
      e.printStackTrace();
    } finally {
      try {
        rs.close();
        stmt.close();
        conn.close();
      } catch (SQLException e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
      }
    }
  }
}





Get date from Oracle

  
import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.PreparedStatement;
import java.sql.ResultSet;
import java.sql.SQLException;
public class GetDateFromOracle {
  public static Connection getConnection() throws Exception {
    String driver = "oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver";
    String url = "jdbc:oracle:thin:@localhost:1521:databaseName";
    Class.forName(driver);
    return DriverManager.getConnection(url, "name", "password");
  }
  public static void main(String args[]) {
    String GET_RECORD = "select date_column, time_column, "
        + "timestamp_column from TestDates where id = ?";
    ResultSet rs = null;
    Connection conn = null;
    PreparedStatement pstmt = null;
    try {
      conn = getConnection();
      pstmt = conn.prepareStatement(GET_RECORD);
      pstmt.setString(1, "0001");
      rs = pstmt.executeQuery();
      while (rs.next()) {
        java.sql.Date dbSqlDate = rs.getDate(1);
        java.sql.Time dbSqlTime = rs.getTime(2);
        java.sql.Timestamp dbSqlTimestamp = rs.getTimestamp(3);
        System.out.println("dbSqlDate=" + dbSqlDate);
        System.out.println("dbSqlTime=" + dbSqlTime);
        System.out.println("dbSqlTimestamp=" + dbSqlTimestamp);
      }
    } catch (Exception e) {
      e.printStackTrace();
    } finally {
      try {
        rs.close();
        pstmt.close();
        conn.close();
      } catch (SQLException e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
      }
    }
  }
}





Get java.sql.Timestamp fro current time

  
public class DateLabel {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    java.util.Date today = new java.util.Date();
    System.out.println(new java.sql.Timestamp(today.getTime()));
  }
}





Insert Date, time and date time data to Oracle

  
import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.PreparedStatement;
public class InsertDateToOracle {
  public static Connection getConnection() throws Exception {
    String driver = "oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver";
    String url = "jdbc:oracle:thin:@localhost:1521:databaseName";
    Class.forName(driver);
    return DriverManager.getConnection(url, "userName", "password");
  }
  public static void main(String args[])throws Exception {
    String INSERT_RECORD = "insert into TestDates(id, date_column, "
        + "time_column, timestamp_column) values(?, ?, ?, ?)";
    Connection conn = null;
    PreparedStatement pstmt = null;
    try {
      conn = getConnection();
      pstmt = conn.prepareStatement(INSERT_RECORD);
      pstmt.setString(1, "001");
      java.util.Date date = new java.util.Date();
      long t = date.getTime();
      java.sql.Date sqlDate = new java.sql.Date(t);
      java.sql.Time sqlTime = new java.sql.Time(t);
      java.sql.Timestamp sqlTimestamp = new java.sql.Timestamp(t);
      System.out.println("sqlDate=" + sqlDate);
      System.out.println("sqlTime=" + sqlTime);
      System.out.println("sqlTimestamp=" + sqlTimestamp);
      pstmt.setDate(2, sqlDate);
      pstmt.setTime(3, sqlTime);
      pstmt.setTimestamp(4, sqlTimestamp);
      pstmt.executeUpdate();
    } catch (Exception e) {
      e.printStackTrace();
      System.out.println("Failed to insert the record.");
    } finally {
      pstmt.close();
      conn.close();
    }
  }
}





Parse date and time

  
/**
 * Copyright (c) 2003 - 2007 OpenSubsystems s.r.o. Slovak Republic. All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Project: OpenSubsystems
 * 
 * $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * 
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation; version 2 of the License. 
 * 
 * This program 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 General Public License for more details.
 * 
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA 
 */

import java.sql.Timestamp;
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.ParseException;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;

/**
 * Collection of useful utilities to work with dates. 
 * 
 * @version $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * @author Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewer Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewed 1.5 2005/09/13 13:23:15 bastafidli
 */
public final class DateUtils
{
   // Constants ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * One second in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_SECOND = 1000L;
   
   /**
    * One minute in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_MINUTE = ONE_SECOND * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One hour in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_HOUR = ONE_MINUTE * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One day in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_DAY = ONE_HOUR * 24L;
   
   /**
    * Separator we used to separate time from the nanosecond portion of the 
    * timestamp when converted to string.
    */
   public static final char NANO_SEPARATOR = ":";
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NEVER = 0;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MINUTES = 1;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_HOURS = 2;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_DAYS = 3;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_WEEKS = 4;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MONTHS = 5;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_YEARS = 6;
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NONE = 7;
   /**
    * Constant for current date code used in date/time formulas 
    */
   public static final String CURRENT_DATE_CODE = "now";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char YEAR_CODE = "y";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MONTH_CODE = "M";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char WEEK_CODE = "w";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char DAY_CODE = "d";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char HOUR_CODE = "h";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MINUTE_CODE = "m";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char SECOND_CODE = "s";
   /**
    * constant for date type DATE
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATE = 1;
   /**
    * constant for date type TIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_TIME = 2;
   /**
    * constant for date type DATETIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATETIME = 3;
   
   // Constants for period start types /////////////////////////////////////////
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// constants was fixed
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE = 0;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_CREATION = 1;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_COMPLETION = 2;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_APPROVAL = 3;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_ACTIVATION = 4;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_INACTIVATION = 5;
//   
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC = 6;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type code
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_TYPE_CODE = 99;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type object
//    */
//   public static final Integer PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ = new Integer(PERIOD_TYPE_CODE);
   // Cached variables /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT, 
                                                           DateFormat.MEDIUM); 
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to store date as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_STORE_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to store time as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to store date and time as 
    * string so that it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss");

   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format for sql date
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_SQL_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd 00:00:00");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format for sql time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("1970-01-01 HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format for sql date and time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss");
   // Constructors /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /** 
    * Private constructor since this class cannot be instantiated
    */
   private DateUtils(
   )
   {
      // Do nothing
   }
   
   // Public methods ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * Check if two dates equals regardless of the time. Two null dates are equal. 
    * Null and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date to compare, can be null 
    * @return boolean - true if two dates equals regardless of what the time is 
    */
   public static boolean dateEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iEra;
               int      iYear;
               int      iMonth;
               int      iDay;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iEra   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA);
               iYear  = compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR);
               iMonth = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH);
               iDay   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iEra == compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA))
                         && (iYear == compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR))
                         && (iMonth == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH))
                         && (iDay == compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE)));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   
   /**
    * Check if two times equals regardless of the date. Two null times are equal. 
    * Null and not null times are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second time to compare, can be null
    * @param  bIgnoreMilliseconds - if true milliseconds will be ignored in comparison
    * @return boolean - true if two time equals regardless of what the date is 
    */
   public static boolean timeEquals(
      Date    dtFirst,
      Date    dtSecond,
      boolean bIgnoreMilliseconds
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iHour;
               int      iMinute;
               int      iSecond;
               int      iMili;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iHour   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
               iMinute = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE);
               iSecond = compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND);
               iMili   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iHour == compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY))
                         && (iMinute == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE))
                         && (iSecond == compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND))
                         && ((bIgnoreMilliseconds) 
                            || (iMili == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND))));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if two dates and times are equal. Two null dates are equal. Null 
    * and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date time to compare, can be null
    * @return boolean - true if two date and times are equal 
    */
   public static boolean dateAndTimeEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               // They are both not null so they have to match to millisecond
               // (actually to nanosecond since the getTime takes nanoseconds
               // into account)
               bReturn = (dtFirst.getTime() == dtSecond.getTime());                               
            }
         }
      }
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if String representing date is function or date. Date is a function
    * (formula) if it starts with the current date/time variable which can be 
    * followed by expression describing period from current date.
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @return boolean - date function flag
    */
   public static boolean isFunction(
      String   strValue
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      if ((strValue != null) && (strValue.length() > 0) 
         && (strValue.trim().startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE)))
      {
         bReturn = true;
      }
      
      return bReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse date time value from given string resolving any functions or formulas
    * the string can contain. This method  can be therefore used if the passed 
    * string contains string representation date, time or timestamp or a formula
    * such as now + 3h - 1m + 4d. 
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @param iDateType - date type code, one of the DATE_TYPE_XXX constants
    * @param stored - flag if Date should be parsed using format used for 
    *                 storage or for display
    * @return Timestamp - parsed date or null if date was null
    * @throws OSSInvalidDataException - error during parsing
    */
   public static Timestamp parseDateTime(
      String   strValue,
      int      iDateType,
      boolean  stored
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar workCal = GregorianCalendar.getInstance();
      
      if (strValue != null && strValue.length() > 0)
      {
         strValue = strValue.trim();
         if (strValue.startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE))
         {
            strValue = strValue.replaceAll("[ ]", "");
            // If the user specified "UseCurrent", then substitute the
            // current date/time in the value
            workCal.setTime(new Date());
//            Log.getInstance().debug("Parsing current date " + strValue);
            // Parse the date math
            int iBeginIndex = CURRENT_DATE_CODE.length();
            int iMaxLength = strValue.length();
            int iSign = 1;
            int iNumberIndex;
            int iValue;
            char cChar = " ";
            while (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength)
            {
               // This has to be sign
               if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "+")
               {
                  iSign = 1;
               }
               else if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "-")
               {
                  iSign = -1;
               }
               else
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
               // Now we have to have number
               iNumberIndex = iBeginIndex;
               
               while (((iBeginIndex == iNumberIndex) || Character.isDigit(cChar)) 
                     && (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength))
               {
                  cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex++);
               }
               // We have to go one back because we should stop on modifier (e.g 1m)
               iBeginIndex--;
               try
               {
                  iValue = Integer.parseInt(strValue.substring(iNumberIndex, iBeginIndex));
               }
               catch (NumberFormatException nmeExc)
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iNumberIndex));
               }
               // This has to be modifier: y - year, M - month, w - week, 
               // d - day, h - hour, m - minute, s - second
               cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex);
               switch(cChar)
               {
                  case(YEAR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used YEAR modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MONTH_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MONTH modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MONTH, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(WEEK_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used WEEK modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(DAY_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used DAY modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.DATE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(HOUR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used HOUR modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.HOUR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MINUTE_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MINUTE modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(SECOND_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used SECOND modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.SECOND, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  default:
                  {
                     // Incorrect String
                     throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
                  }
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
            }
            
            tsReturn = new Timestamp(workCal.getTimeInMillis());
            
         }
         else
         {
            try
            {
               if (stored)
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }
                  }                  
               }
               else
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }                  
                  }                  
               }
            }
            catch (ParseException peExc)
            {
               throw new RuntimeException(
                     "Date is in incorrect format. Problems with parsing.",
                     peExc);
            }
         }
      }
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying number of days the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - period in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s)" or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayPeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lDays = 0L;
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_DAY - 1;
         
         lDays = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         sbReturn.append(lDays);
         if (lDays == 1L)
         {
            sbReturn.append(" day");
         }
         else
         {
            sbReturn.append(" days");
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 days");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying date and time the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - preiod in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s) y hour(s) z minute(s)" 
    *                  or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayTimePeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lHelp = 0L;
      
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE - 1;
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         if (lHelp > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 min");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI related class.
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypes(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                                                           "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types with None option.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypesWithNone(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NONE), "None"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                         "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for getting string name of the timing type.
//    * 
//    * @param iTimingType - timing type constant
//    * @return String - string name of timing type
//    */
//   public static String getTimingTypeName(
//      int iTimingType
//   )
//   {
//      String outTimingTypeName = "Never"; 
//      switch (iTimingType)      
//      {
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Never";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Minute(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Hour(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Day(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Week(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Month(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Year(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NONE):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "None";
//            break;
//         }
//      }
//
//      return outTimingTypeName;
//   }
   
   /**
    * Get expiration timestamp from start date, period type and duration. For 
    * example if the start date is now, period type is hour and duration is 2
    * then the result will be timestamp representing now + 2 hours.  
    * 
    * @param tsStartDate - start date of period counting
    * @param iPeriodType - one of the period type constant TIMING_XXX 
    * @param iPeriodDuration - period duration, number of time units specified 
    *                          by period type
    * @return Timestamp - date of period expiration or null if any problem
    */
   public static Timestamp getPeriodExpiration(
      Timestamp tsStartDate,
      int       iPeriodType,
      int       iPeriodDuration
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar calHelp;
      if (tsStartDate != null && iPeriodDuration > 0 
            && iPeriodType > TIMING_NEVER && iPeriodType < TIMING_NONE)
      {
         calHelp = Calendar.getInstance();
         calHelp.setTime(tsStartDate);
         
         switch (iPeriodType)
         {
            case (TIMING_MINUTES) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_HOURS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.HOUR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_DAYS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.DATE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_WEEKS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_MONTHS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MONTH, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_YEARS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            default :
            {
               assert false : "Not supported Timing type " + iPeriodType;
            } 
         }
         tsReturn = new Timestamp(calHelp.getTimeInMillis());
      }
      
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Method to compare time periods
    * 
    * @param iPeriodType1 - first period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration1 - first period duration
    * @param iPeriodType2 - second period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration2 - second period duration
    * @return int - 1 - first period is longer
    *               0 - periods are same
    *              -1 - first period is shorter
    */
   public static int comparePeriods(
      int iPeriodType1,
      int iPeriodDuration1,
      int iPeriodType2,
      int iPeriodDuration2
   )
   {
      int iReturn = 0;
      
      if ((iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NONE) 
         && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NONE))
      {
         Timestamp tsTimestamp1 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType1, iPeriodDuration1);
         Timestamp tsTimestamp2 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType2, iPeriodDuration2);
         
         // TODO: Improve: When would any of these be null?
         if ((tsTimestamp1 != null) && (tsTimestamp2 != null))
         {
            if (tsTimestamp1.after(tsTimestamp2))
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (tsTimestamp2.after(tsTimestamp1))
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         if (iPeriodType1 != iPeriodType2)
         {
            if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
         }
      }
      return iReturn;      
   }
   
   /**
    * Convert timestamp to string including it"s nanosecond portion so that it 
    * can be safely stored in variable of web page.
    * 
    * @param tsTimestamp - timestamp to convert
    * @return String - text containing time and nanosecond portion of timestamp
    */
   public static String getTimestampAsString(
      Timestamp tsTimestamp
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbTimestamp = new StringBuffer();
      
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getTime());
      sbTimestamp.append(NANO_SEPARATOR);
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getNanos());
      
      return sbTimestamp.toString();
   }
   

   /**
    * Function returns time string in the form MM:SS.MS from the input specified in miliseconds. 
    * 
    * @param lTimeInMiliseconds - time in miliseconds
    * @return String - string representation of miliseconds in the form MM:SS.MS
    */
   public static String getStringTime(
      long lTimeInMiliseconds
   )
   {
      long lTotalMS   = lTimeInMiliseconds;
      long lMS        = lTotalMS % 1000;
      long lTotalSecs = lTotalMS / 1000;
      long lSecs      = lTotalSecs % 60;
      long lTotalMins = lTotalSecs / 60;
      long lMinutes   = lTotalMins % 60;
      long lHours     = lTotalMins / 60;
      StringBuffer sbBuffer = new StringBuffer();
      if (lHours > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lHours);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lMinutes > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lSecs > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" seconds");
      }
      else
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" ms");
      }
      
      return sbBuffer.toString();
   }
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI or business logic related class.
//   /**
//    * Method to check if valid period settings
//    * 
//    * @param iPeriod - period length
//    * @param iPeriodType - period type
//    * @param iPeriodStartType - period start type
//    * @param iAttributeId - attribute ID for dynamic period start type
//    * @param bPeriodException - period exception flag
//    * @param strPeriodName - period name used for exception message
//    * @param bAdvancePeriodType - flag if advanced period type (includes also start type)
//    * @param bfideException - invalid data exception
//    */
//   public static void validatePeriod(
//      int iPeriod,
//      int iPeriodType,
//      int iPeriodStartType,
//      int iAttributeId,
//      boolean bPeriodException,
//      String strPeriodName,
//      boolean bAdvancePeriodType,
//      OSSInvalidDataException messageException
//   ) 
//   {
//      if ((iPeriod > 0) 
//         || ((iPeriodType != TIMING_NONE) && (iPeriodType != TIMING_NEVER)) 
//         || (bPeriodException) || (iPeriodStartType != PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//      {
//         if (iPeriod <= 0)
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period length for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((iPeriodType == TIMING_NONE) || (iPeriodType == TIMING_NEVER))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period start type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) 
//                 && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC) 
//                 && (iAttributeId == DataObject.NEW_ID))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period dynamic start attribute for " 
//               + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//      }
//   }
}





Timestamp parse

  
/**
 * Copyright (c) 2003 - 2007 OpenSubsystems s.r.o. Slovak Republic. All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Project: OpenSubsystems
 * 
 * $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * 
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation; version 2 of the License. 
 * 
 * This program 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 General Public License for more details.
 * 
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA 
 */

import java.sql.Timestamp;
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.ParseException;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;

/**
 * Collection of useful utilities to work with dates. 
 * 
 * @version $Id: DateUtils.java,v 1.7 2007/01/07 06:14:00 bastafidli Exp $
 * @author Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewer Miro Halas
 * @code.reviewed 1.5 2005/09/13 13:23:15 bastafidli
 */
public final class DateUtils
{
   // Constants ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * One second in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_SECOND = 1000L;
   
   /**
    * One minute in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_MINUTE = ONE_SECOND * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One hour in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_HOUR = ONE_MINUTE * 60L;
   
   /**
    * One day in milliseconds.
    */
   public static final long ONE_DAY = ONE_HOUR * 24L;
   
   /**
    * Separator we used to separate time from the nanosecond portion of the 
    * timestamp when converted to string.
    */
   public static final char NANO_SEPARATOR = ":";
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NEVER = 0;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MINUTES = 1;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_HOURS = 2;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_DAYS = 3;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_WEEKS = 4;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_MONTHS = 5;
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_YEARS = 6;
   
   /**
    * Constant for timing type
    */
   public static final int TIMING_NONE = 7;
   /**
    * Constant for current date code used in date/time formulas 
    */
   public static final String CURRENT_DATE_CODE = "now";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char YEAR_CODE = "y";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MONTH_CODE = "M";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char WEEK_CODE = "w";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char DAY_CODE = "d";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char HOUR_CODE = "h";
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char MINUTE_CODE = "m";
   
   /**
    * Constant for dynamic date code used in date/time formulas
    */
   public static final char SECOND_CODE = "s";
   /**
    * constant for date type DATE
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATE = 1;
   /**
    * constant for date type TIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_TIME = 2;
   /**
    * constant for date type DATETIME
    */
   public static final int DATE_TYPE_DATETIME = 3;
   
   // Constants for period start types /////////////////////////////////////////
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// constants was fixed
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE = 0;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_CREATION = 1;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_COMPLETION = 2;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_APPROVAL = 3;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_ACTIVATION = 4;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_INACTIVATION = 5;
//   
//   /**
//    * constant for period type
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC = 6;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type code
//    */
//   public static final int PERIOD_TYPE_CODE = 99;
//
//   /**
//    * constant for period type object
//    */
//   public static final Integer PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ = new Integer(PERIOD_TYPE_CODE);
   // Cached variables /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to display on UI and in messages.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_FORMAT 
                          = (SimpleDateFormat) DateFormat.getDateTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT, 
                                                           DateFormat.MEDIUM); 
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format to store date as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_STORE_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format to store time as string so that
    * it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format to store date and time as 
    * string so that it is stored consistently.
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss");

   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for date format for sql date
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATE_SQL_FORMAT
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd 00:00:00");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for time format for sql time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat TIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("1970-01-01 HH:mm:ss");
   
   /**
    * static SimpleDateFormat for datetime format for sql date and time
    */
   public static final SimpleDateFormat DATETIME_SQL_FORMAT 
                          = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss");
   // Constructors /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /** 
    * Private constructor since this class cannot be instantiated
    */
   private DateUtils(
   )
   {
      // Do nothing
   }
   
   // Public methods ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
   /**
    * Check if two dates equals regardless of the time. Two null dates are equal. 
    * Null and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date to compare, can be null 
    * @return boolean - true if two dates equals regardless of what the time is 
    */
   public static boolean dateEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iEra;
               int      iYear;
               int      iMonth;
               int      iDay;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iEra   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA);
               iYear  = compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR);
               iMonth = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH);
               iDay   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iEra == compCalendar.get(Calendar.ERA))
                         && (iYear == compCalendar.get(Calendar.YEAR))
                         && (iMonth == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MONTH))
                         && (iDay == compCalendar.get(Calendar.DATE)));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   
   /**
    * Check if two times equals regardless of the date. Two null times are equal. 
    * Null and not null times are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second time to compare, can be null
    * @param  bIgnoreMilliseconds - if true milliseconds will be ignored in comparison
    * @return boolean - true if two time equals regardless of what the date is 
    */
   public static boolean timeEquals(
      Date    dtFirst,
      Date    dtSecond,
      boolean bIgnoreMilliseconds
   )
   {
      boolean  bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               Calendar compCalendar;
               int      iHour;
               int      iMinute;
               int      iSecond;
               int      iMili;
               
               compCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
               compCalendar.setTime(dtFirst);
               iHour   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
               iMinute = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE);
               iSecond = compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND);
               iMili   = compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND);
               compCalendar.setTime(dtSecond);
         
               bReturn = ((iHour == compCalendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY))
                         && (iMinute == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE))
                         && (iSecond == compCalendar.get(Calendar.SECOND))
                         && ((bIgnoreMilliseconds) 
                            || (iMili == compCalendar.get(Calendar.MILLISECOND))));
            }
         }
      } 
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if two dates and times are equal. Two null dates are equal. Null 
    * and not null dates are not equal.
    * 
    * @param  dtFirst - first date time to compare, can be null
    * @param  dtSecond - second date time to compare, can be null
    * @return boolean - true if two date and times are equal 
    */
   public static boolean dateAndTimeEquals(
      Date dtFirst,
      Date dtSecond
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      
      // If they are the same object, they are equals
      bReturn = (dtFirst == dtSecond);
      if (!bReturn)
      {
         if (dtFirst == null)
         {
            // Two null dates are the same
            bReturn = (dtSecond == null);
         }
         else
         {
            if (dtSecond != null)
            {
               // They are both not null so they have to match to millisecond
               // (actually to nanosecond since the getTime takes nanoseconds
               // into account)
               bReturn = (dtFirst.getTime() == dtSecond.getTime());                               
            }
         }
      }
            
      return bReturn;            
   }
   /**
    * Check if String representing date is function or date. Date is a function
    * (formula) if it starts with the current date/time variable which can be 
    * followed by expression describing period from current date.
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @return boolean - date function flag
    */
   public static boolean isFunction(
      String   strValue
   )
   {
      boolean bReturn = false;
      if ((strValue != null) && (strValue.length() > 0) 
         && (strValue.trim().startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE)))
      {
         bReturn = true;
      }
      
      return bReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse date time value from given string resolving any functions or formulas
    * the string can contain. This method  can be therefore used if the passed 
    * string contains string representation date, time or timestamp or a formula
    * such as now + 3h - 1m + 4d. 
    *
    * @param strValue - string representation of date or date function
    * @param iDateType - date type code, one of the DATE_TYPE_XXX constants
    * @param stored - flag if Date should be parsed using format used for 
    *                 storage or for display
    * @return Timestamp - parsed date or null if date was null
    * @throws OSSInvalidDataException - error during parsing
    */
   public static Timestamp parseDateTime(
      String   strValue,
      int      iDateType,
      boolean  stored
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar workCal = GregorianCalendar.getInstance();
      
      if (strValue != null && strValue.length() > 0)
      {
         strValue = strValue.trim();
         if (strValue.startsWith(CURRENT_DATE_CODE))
         {
            strValue = strValue.replaceAll("[ ]", "");
            // If the user specified "UseCurrent", then substitute the
            // current date/time in the value
            workCal.setTime(new Date());
//            Log.getInstance().debug("Parsing current date " + strValue);
            // Parse the date math
            int iBeginIndex = CURRENT_DATE_CODE.length();
            int iMaxLength = strValue.length();
            int iSign = 1;
            int iNumberIndex;
            int iValue;
            char cChar = " ";
            while (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength)
            {
               // This has to be sign
               if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "+")
               {
                  iSign = 1;
               }
               else if (strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex) == "-")
               {
                  iSign = -1;
               }
               else
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
               // Now we have to have number
               iNumberIndex = iBeginIndex;
               
               while (((iBeginIndex == iNumberIndex) || Character.isDigit(cChar)) 
                     && (iBeginIndex < iMaxLength))
               {
                  cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex++);
               }
               // We have to go one back because we should stop on modifier (e.g 1m)
               iBeginIndex--;
               try
               {
                  iValue = Integer.parseInt(strValue.substring(iNumberIndex, iBeginIndex));
               }
               catch (NumberFormatException nmeExc)
               {
                  // Incorrect String
                  throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iNumberIndex));
               }
               // This has to be modifier: y - year, M - month, w - week, 
               // d - day, h - hour, m - minute, s - second
               cChar = strValue.charAt(iBeginIndex);
               switch(cChar)
               {
                  case(YEAR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used YEAR modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MONTH_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MONTH modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MONTH, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(WEEK_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used WEEK modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(DAY_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_TIME)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used DAY modifier for TIME type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.DATE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(HOUR_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used HOUR modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.HOUR, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(MINUTE_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used MINUTE modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  case(SECOND_CODE):
                  {
                     if (iDateType == DATE_TYPE_DATE)
                     {
                        throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: " +
                           "used SECOND modifier for DATE type");
                     }
                     workCal.add(Calendar.SECOND, iSign * iValue);
                     break;
                  }
                  default:
                  {
                     // Incorrect String
                     throw new RuntimeException(
                           "Date function is in incorrect format: "
                           + strValue + " at " + strValue.substring(iBeginIndex));
                  }
               }
               iBeginIndex++;
            }
            
            tsReturn = new Timestamp(workCal.getTimeInMillis());
            
         }
         else
         {
            try
            {
               if (stored)
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_STORE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }
                  }                  
               }
               else
               {
                  switch (iDateType)
                  {
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATE) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATE_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_TIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(TIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     case (DATE_TYPE_DATETIME) :
                     {
                        tsReturn = new Timestamp(DATETIME_FORMAT.parse(strValue).getTime());
                        break;   
                     }
                     default:
                     {
                        assert false : "Unknown date type " + iDateType;
                     }                  
                  }                  
               }
            }
            catch (ParseException peExc)
            {
               throw new RuntimeException(
                     "Date is in incorrect format. Problems with parsing.",
                     peExc);
            }
         }
      }
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying number of days the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - period in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s)" or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayPeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lDays = 0L;
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_DAY - 1;
         
         lDays = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         sbReturn.append(lDays);
         if (lDays == 1L)
         {
            sbReturn.append(" day");
         }
         else
         {
            sbReturn.append(" days");
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 days");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
   /**
    * Parse the specified period into string displaying date and time the 
    * period represents. 
    * 
    * @param lPeriod - preiod in miliseconds
    * @return String - period in format "x day(s) y hour(s) z minute(s)" 
    *                  or "" if not valid period
    */
   public static String parseDayTimePeriod(
      long lPeriod
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbReturn = new StringBuffer();
      long lHelp = 0L;
      
      
      if (lPeriod > 0)
      {
         lPeriod = lPeriod + DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE - 1;
         // we will count each started day as counted day 
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         if (lHelp > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" d ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_DAY;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" h ");
            }
         }
         lPeriod = lPeriod % DateUtils.ONE_HOUR;
         lHelp = lPeriod / DateUtils.ONE_MINUTE;
         if (lHelp > 0 || sbReturn.length() > 0)
         {
            sbReturn.append(lHelp);
            if (lHelp == 1L)
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
            else
            {
               sbReturn.append(" min");
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         sbReturn.append("0 min");
      }
      return sbReturn.toString();
   }
   
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI related class.
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypes(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                                                           "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for list of timing types with None option.
//    * 
//    * @return List - list of timing types
//    */
//   public static List getTimingTypesWithNone(
//   )
//   { 
//      List lstTimingTypes = new ArrayList();
//      
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NONE), "None"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES), 
//                         "Minute(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS), "Hour(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS), "Day(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS), "Week(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS), "Month(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS), "Year(s)"));
//      lstTimingTypes.add(new SelectOption(Integer.toString(DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER), "Never"));
//      
//      return lstTimingTypes;
//   }
//   /**
//    * Method for getting string name of the timing type.
//    * 
//    * @param iTimingType - timing type constant
//    * @return String - string name of timing type
//    */
//   public static String getTimingTypeName(
//      int iTimingType
//   )
//   {
//      String outTimingTypeName = "Never"; 
//      switch (iTimingType)      
//      {
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NEVER):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Never";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MINUTES):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Minute(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_HOURS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Hour(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_DAYS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Day(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_WEEKS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Week(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_MONTHS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Month(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_YEARS):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "Year(s)";
//            break;
//         }
//         case (DateUtils.TIMING_NONE):
//         {
//            outTimingTypeName = "None";
//            break;
//         }
//      }
//
//      return outTimingTypeName;
//   }
   
   /**
    * Get expiration timestamp from start date, period type and duration. For 
    * example if the start date is now, period type is hour and duration is 2
    * then the result will be timestamp representing now + 2 hours.  
    * 
    * @param tsStartDate - start date of period counting
    * @param iPeriodType - one of the period type constant TIMING_XXX 
    * @param iPeriodDuration - period duration, number of time units specified 
    *                          by period type
    * @return Timestamp - date of period expiration or null if any problem
    */
   public static Timestamp getPeriodExpiration(
      Timestamp tsStartDate,
      int       iPeriodType,
      int       iPeriodDuration
   )
   {
      Timestamp tsReturn = null;
      Calendar calHelp;
      if (tsStartDate != null && iPeriodDuration > 0 
            && iPeriodType > TIMING_NEVER && iPeriodType < TIMING_NONE)
      {
         calHelp = Calendar.getInstance();
         calHelp.setTime(tsStartDate);
         
         switch (iPeriodType)
         {
            case (TIMING_MINUTES) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MINUTE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_HOURS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.HOUR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_DAYS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.DATE, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_WEEKS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_MONTHS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.MONTH, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            case (TIMING_YEARS) :
            {
               calHelp.add(Calendar.YEAR, iPeriodDuration);
               break;
            }
            default :
            {
               assert false : "Not supported Timing type " + iPeriodType;
            } 
         }
         tsReturn = new Timestamp(calHelp.getTimeInMillis());
      }
      
      return tsReturn;
   }
   
   /**
    * Method to compare time periods
    * 
    * @param iPeriodType1 - first period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration1 - first period duration
    * @param iPeriodType2 - second period type, one of the period type constant 
    *                       TIMING_XXX
    * @param iPeriodDuration2 - second period duration
    * @return int - 1 - first period is longer
    *               0 - periods are same
    *              -1 - first period is shorter
    */
   public static int comparePeriods(
      int iPeriodType1,
      int iPeriodDuration1,
      int iPeriodType2,
      int iPeriodDuration2
   )
   {
      int iReturn = 0;
      
      if ((iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType1 != TIMING_NONE) 
         && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NEVER) && (iPeriodType2 != TIMING_NONE))
      {
         Timestamp tsTimestamp1 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType1, iPeriodDuration1);
         Timestamp tsTimestamp2 = getPeriodExpiration(
               new Timestamp(0), iPeriodType2, iPeriodDuration2);
         
         // TODO: Improve: When would any of these be null?
         if ((tsTimestamp1 != null) && (tsTimestamp2 != null))
         {
            if (tsTimestamp1.after(tsTimestamp2))
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (tsTimestamp2.after(tsTimestamp1))
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
         }
      }
      else
      {
         if (iPeriodType1 != iPeriodType2)
         {
            if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType1 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NEVER)
            {
               iReturn = -1;
            }
            else if (iPeriodType2 == TIMING_NONE)
            {
               iReturn = 1;
            }
         }
      }
      return iReturn;      
   }
   
   /**
    * Convert timestamp to string including it"s nanosecond portion so that it 
    * can be safely stored in variable of web page.
    * 
    * @param tsTimestamp - timestamp to convert
    * @return String - text containing time and nanosecond portion of timestamp
    */
   public static String getTimestampAsString(
      Timestamp tsTimestamp
   )
   {
      StringBuffer sbTimestamp = new StringBuffer();
      
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getTime());
      sbTimestamp.append(NANO_SEPARATOR);
      sbTimestamp.append(tsTimestamp.getNanos());
      
      return sbTimestamp.toString();
   }
   

   /**
    * Function returns time string in the form MM:SS.MS from the input specified in miliseconds. 
    * 
    * @param lTimeInMiliseconds - time in miliseconds
    * @return String - string representation of miliseconds in the form MM:SS.MS
    */
   public static String getStringTime(
      long lTimeInMiliseconds
   )
   {
      long lTotalMS   = lTimeInMiliseconds;
      long lMS        = lTotalMS % 1000;
      long lTotalSecs = lTotalMS / 1000;
      long lSecs      = lTotalSecs % 60;
      long lTotalMins = lTotalSecs / 60;
      long lMinutes   = lTotalMins % 60;
      long lHours     = lTotalMins / 60;
      StringBuffer sbBuffer = new StringBuffer();
      if (lHours > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lHours);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lMinutes > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMinutes);
         sbBuffer.append(":");
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
      }
      else if (lSecs > 0)
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lSecs);
         sbBuffer.append(".");
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" seconds");
      }
      else
      {
         sbBuffer.append(lMS);
         sbBuffer.append(" ms");
      }
      
      return sbBuffer.toString();
   }
// TODO: For Miro: Remove this code once all the code which referred to these
// was fixed. These should be moved to a GUI or business logic related class.
//   /**
//    * Method to check if valid period settings
//    * 
//    * @param iPeriod - period length
//    * @param iPeriodType - period type
//    * @param iPeriodStartType - period start type
//    * @param iAttributeId - attribute ID for dynamic period start type
//    * @param bPeriodException - period exception flag
//    * @param strPeriodName - period name used for exception message
//    * @param bAdvancePeriodType - flag if advanced period type (includes also start type)
//    * @param bfideException - invalid data exception
//    */
//   public static void validatePeriod(
//      int iPeriod,
//      int iPeriodType,
//      int iPeriodStartType,
//      int iAttributeId,
//      boolean bPeriodException,
//      String strPeriodName,
//      boolean bAdvancePeriodType,
//      OSSInvalidDataException messageException
//   ) 
//   {
//      if ((iPeriod > 0) 
//         || ((iPeriodType != TIMING_NONE) && (iPeriodType != TIMING_NEVER)) 
//         || (bPeriodException) || (iPeriodStartType != PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//      {
//         if (iPeriod <= 0)
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period length for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((iPeriodType == TIMING_NONE) || (iPeriodType == TIMING_NEVER))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_NONE))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period start type for " + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//         else if ((bAdvancePeriodType) 
//                 && (iPeriodStartType == PERIOD_START_TYPE_DYNAMIC) 
//                 && (iAttributeId == DataObject.NEW_ID))
//         {
//            if (messageException == null)
//            {
//               messageException = new OSSInvalidDataException();
//            }
//            messageException.getErrorMessages().addMessage(
//               PERIOD_TYPE_OBJ, 
//               "You have to set valid period dynamic start attribute for " 
//               + strPeriodName + " type."
//            );
//         }
//      }
//   }
}