Python Dates

In Python, dates can be handled using the datetime module, which provides classes for manipulating dates and times.


Importing the datetime Module

import datetime


Key Classes in datetime

  1. datetime.date: Represents a date (year, month, and day).
  2. datetime.time: Represents a time (hour, minute, second, microsecond).
  3. datetime.datetime: Combines date and time.
  4. datetime.timedelta: Represents the difference between two dates or times.
  5. datetime.tzinfo: Provides timezone information.


datetime.date Class

The date class is used to manipulate dates.

Creating a Date

from datetime import date

# Create a date object
d = date(2023, 7, 20)
print(d)  # Output: 2023-07-20


Getting Current Date

from datetime import date
today = date.today()
print(today)  # Output: Current date, e.g., 2024-07-20

Getting Date Attributes

from datetime import date
d = date(2023, 7, 20)
print(d.year)  # Output: 2023
print(d.month)  # Output: 7
print(d.day)  # Output: 20


datetime.time Class

The time class is used to manipulate times.

Creating a Time

from datetime import time

# Create a time object
t = time(14, 30, 45)
print(t)  # Output: 14:30:45

Getting Time Attributes

from datetime import time

t = time(14, 30, 45)
print(t.hour)  # Output: 14
print(t.minute)  # Output: 30
print(t.second)  # Output: 45


datetime.datetime Class

The datetime class combines date and time.

from datetime import datetime

# Create a datetime object
dt = datetime(2023, 7, 20, 14, 30, 45)
print(dt)  # Output: 2023-07-20 14:30:45


Getting Current Datetime

from datetime import datetime
now = datetime.now()
print(now)  # Output: Current date and time

Getting Datetime Attributes

from datetime import datetime

dt = datetime(2023, 7, 20, 14, 30, 45)
print(dt.year)  # Output: 2023
print(dt.month)  # Output: 7
print(dt.day)  # Output: 20
print(dt.hour)  # Output: 14
print(dt.minute)  # Output: 30
print(dt.second)  # Output: 45


datetime.timedelta Class

The timedelta class represents the difference between two dates or times.


Creating a Timedelta

from datetime import timedelta

# Create a timedelta object
delta = timedelta(days=10, hours=5, minutes=30)
print(delta)  # Output: 10 days, 5:30:00


Performing Date Arithmetic

from datetime import timedelta
from datetime import date

d = date(2023, 7, 20)
delta = timedelta(days=10, hours=5, minutes=30)
new_date = d + delta
print(new_date)  # Output: 2023-07-30

diff = new_date - d
print(diff)  # Output: 10 days, 5:30:00


Formatting and Parsing Dates

Formatting Dates

from datetime import datetime

dt = datetime(2023, 7, 20, 14, 30, 45)
formatted_date = dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
print(formatted_date)


Parsing Dates

from datetime import datetime
date_string = "2023-07-20 14:30:45"
parsed_date = datetime.strptime(date_string, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
print(parsed_date)  # Output: 2023-07-20 14:30:45


Summary of Functions

  • date(year, month, day): Creates a date object.
  • date.today(): Returns the current date.
  • time(hour, minute, second): Creates a time object.
  • datetime(year, month, day, hour, minute, second): Creates a datetime object.
  • datetime.now(): Returns the current date and time.
  • timedelta(days, hours, minutes): Creates a timedelta object.
  • strftime(format): Formats a date or time as a string.
  • strptime(date_string, format): Parses a string into a date or time object.