Python Dates

Dates and times are essential concepts in programming for tasks such as tracking events, scheduling, and data analysis. Python provides the datetime module for working with dates and times. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of using dates in Python.

Getting the Current Date and Time

You can get the current date and time using the datetime module's datetime.now()method. For example:

import datetime

current_date = datetime.datetime.now()
print(current_date)

Output:

Sat May 04 2024 00:22:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Formatting Dates and Times

You can format dates and times using the strftime() method. This method takes a format string that specifies how the date and time should be formatted. For example, to format the current date and time:

formatted_date = current_date.strftime('%A, %B %d, %Y')
formatted_time = current_date.strftime('%H:%M:%S')

print('Formatted Date:', formatted_date)
print('Formatted Time:', formatted_time)

Output:

Formatted Date: {formatDate(currentDate)}
Formatted Time: {formatTime(currentDate)}

Conclusion

Dates and times are essential for many programming tasks, and Python provides a powerful module,datetime, for working with them. By understanding how to get the current date and time, format dates and times, and use the datetime module, you can work effectively with dates and times in your Python programs.