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/*
 * (C) Copyright Taligent, Inc. 1996 - All Rights Reserved
 * (C) Copyright IBM Corp. 1996 - All Rights Reserved
 *
 *   The original version of this source code and documentation is copyrighted
 * and owned by Taligent, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM. These
 * materials are provided under terms of a License Agreement between Taligent
 * and Sun. This technology is protected by multiple US and International
 * patents. This notice and attribution to Taligent may not be removed.
 *   Taligent is a registered trademark of Taligent, Inc.
 *
 */

package java.text;

import java.io.InvalidObjectException;
import java.text.spi.DateFormatProvider;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Locale;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.MissingResourceException;
import java.util.ResourceBundle;
import java.util.TimeZone;
import java.util.spi.LocaleServiceProvider;
import sun.util.LocaleServiceProviderPool;

DateFormat is an abstract class for date/time formatting subclasses which formats and parses dates or time in a language-independent manner. The date/time formatting subclass, such as SimpleDateFormat, allows for formatting (i.e., date -> text), parsing (text -> date), and normalization. The date is represented as a Date object or as the milliseconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 GMT.

DateFormat provides many class methods for obtaining default date/time formatters based on the default or a given locale and a number of formatting styles. The formatting styles include FULL, LONG, MEDIUM, and SHORT. More detail and examples of using these styles are provided in the method descriptions.

DateFormat helps you to format and parse dates for any locale. Your code can be completely independent of the locale conventions for months, days of the week, or even the calendar format: lunar vs. solar.

To format a date for the current Locale, use one of the static factory methods:

 myString = DateFormat.getDateInstance().format(myDate);

If you are formatting multiple dates, it is more efficient to get the format and use it multiple times so that the system doesn't have to fetch the information about the local language and country conventions multiple times.

 DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance();
 for (int i = 0; i < myDate.length; ++i) {
   output.println(df.format(myDate[i]) + "; ");
 }

To format a date for a different Locale, specify it in the call to getDateInstance().

 DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG, Locale.FRANCE);

You can use a DateFormat to parse also.

 myDate = df.parse(myString);

Use getDateInstance to get the normal date format for that country. There are other static factory methods available. Use getTimeInstance to get the time format for that country. Use getDateTimeInstance to get a date and time format. You can pass in different options to these factory methods to control the length of the result; from SHORT to MEDIUM to LONG to FULL. The exact result depends on the locale, but generally:

  • SHORT is completely numeric, such as 12.13.52 or 3:30pm
  • MEDIUM is longer, such as Jan 12, 1952
  • LONG is longer, such as January 12, 1952 or 3:30:32pm
  • FULL is pretty completely specified, such as Tuesday, April 12, 1952 AD or 3:30:42pm PST.

You can also set the time zone on the format if you wish. If you want even more control over the format or parsing, (or want to give your users more control), you can try casting the DateFormat you get from the factory methods to a SimpleDateFormat. This will work for the majority of countries; just remember to put it in a try block in case you encounter an unusual one.

You can also use forms of the parse and format methods with ParsePosition and FieldPosition to allow you to

  • progressively parse through pieces of a string.
  • align any particular field, or find out where it is for selection on the screen.

Synchronization

Date formats are not synchronized. It is recommended to create separate format instances for each thread. If multiple threads access a format concurrently, it must be synchronized externally.

Author: Mark Davis, Chen-Lieh Huang, Alan Liu
See Also:
/** * DateFormat is an abstract class for date/time formatting subclasses which * formats and parses dates or time in a language-independent manner. * The date/time formatting subclass, such as SimpleDateFormat, allows for * formatting (i.e., date -> text), parsing (text -> date), and * normalization. The date is represented as a <code>Date</code> object or * as the milliseconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 GMT. * * <p>DateFormat provides many class methods for obtaining default date/time * formatters based on the default or a given locale and a number of formatting * styles. The formatting styles include FULL, LONG, MEDIUM, and SHORT. More * detail and examples of using these styles are provided in the method * descriptions. * * <p>DateFormat helps you to format and parse dates for any locale. * Your code can be completely independent of the locale conventions for * months, days of the week, or even the calendar format: lunar vs. solar. * * <p>To format a date for the current Locale, use one of the * static factory methods: * <pre> * myString = DateFormat.getDateInstance().format(myDate); * </pre> * <p>If you are formatting multiple dates, it is * more efficient to get the format and use it multiple times so that * the system doesn't have to fetch the information about the local * language and country conventions multiple times. * <pre> * DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(); * for (int i = 0; i < myDate.length; ++i) { * output.println(df.format(myDate[i]) + "; "); * } * </pre> * <p>To format a date for a different Locale, specify it in the * call to getDateInstance(). * <pre> * DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG, Locale.FRANCE); * </pre> * <p>You can use a DateFormat to parse also. * <pre> * myDate = df.parse(myString); * </pre> * <p>Use getDateInstance to get the normal date format for that country. * There are other static factory methods available. * Use getTimeInstance to get the time format for that country. * Use getDateTimeInstance to get a date and time format. You can pass in * different options to these factory methods to control the length of the * result; from SHORT to MEDIUM to LONG to FULL. The exact result depends * on the locale, but generally: * <ul><li>SHORT is completely numeric, such as 12.13.52 or 3:30pm * <li>MEDIUM is longer, such as Jan 12, 1952 * <li>LONG is longer, such as January 12, 1952 or 3:30:32pm * <li>FULL is pretty completely specified, such as * Tuesday, April 12, 1952 AD or 3:30:42pm PST. * </ul> * * <p>You can also set the time zone on the format if you wish. * If you want even more control over the format or parsing, * (or want to give your users more control), * you can try casting the DateFormat you get from the factory methods * to a SimpleDateFormat. This will work for the majority * of countries; just remember to put it in a try block in case you * encounter an unusual one. * * <p>You can also use forms of the parse and format methods with * ParsePosition and FieldPosition to * allow you to * <ul><li>progressively parse through pieces of a string. * <li>align any particular field, or find out where it is for selection * on the screen. * </ul> * * <h4><a name="synchronization">Synchronization</a></h4> * * <p> * Date formats are not synchronized. * It is recommended to create separate format instances for each thread. * If multiple threads access a format concurrently, it must be synchronized * externally. * * @see Format * @see NumberFormat * @see SimpleDateFormat * @see java.util.Calendar * @see java.util.GregorianCalendar * @see java.util.TimeZone * @author Mark Davis, Chen-Lieh Huang, Alan Liu */
public abstract class DateFormat extends Format {
The calendar that DateFormat uses to produce the time field values needed to implement date and time formatting. Subclasses should initialize this to a calendar appropriate for the locale associated with this DateFormat.
@serial
/** * The calendar that <code>DateFormat</code> uses to produce the time field * values needed to implement date and time formatting. Subclasses should * initialize this to a calendar appropriate for the locale associated with * this <code>DateFormat</code>. * @serial */
protected Calendar calendar;
The number formatter that DateFormat uses to format numbers in dates and times. Subclasses should initialize this to a number format appropriate for the locale associated with this DateFormat.
@serial
/** * The number formatter that <code>DateFormat</code> uses to format numbers * in dates and times. Subclasses should initialize this to a number format * appropriate for the locale associated with this <code>DateFormat</code>. * @serial */
protected NumberFormat numberFormat;
Useful constant for ERA field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for ERA field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int ERA_FIELD = 0;
Useful constant for YEAR field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for YEAR field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int YEAR_FIELD = 1;
Useful constant for MONTH field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for MONTH field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int MONTH_FIELD = 2;
Useful constant for DATE field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for DATE field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int DATE_FIELD = 3;
Useful constant for one-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD is used for the one-based 24-hour clock. For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 24:59.
/** * Useful constant for one-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. * HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD is used for the one-based 24-hour clock. * For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 24:59. */
public final static int HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD = 4;
Useful constant for zero-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 24-hour clock. For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 00:59.
/** * Useful constant for zero-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. * HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 24-hour clock. * For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 00:59. */
public final static int HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD = 5;
Useful constant for MINUTE field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for MINUTE field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int MINUTE_FIELD = 6;
Useful constant for SECOND field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for SECOND field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int SECOND_FIELD = 7;
Useful constant for MILLISECOND field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for MILLISECOND field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int MILLISECOND_FIELD = 8;
Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int DAY_OF_WEEK_FIELD = 9;
Useful constant for DAY_OF_YEAR field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for DAY_OF_YEAR field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int DAY_OF_YEAR_FIELD = 10;
Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH_FIELD = 11;
Useful constant for WEEK_OF_YEAR field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for WEEK_OF_YEAR field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int WEEK_OF_YEAR_FIELD = 12;
Useful constant for WEEK_OF_MONTH field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for WEEK_OF_MONTH field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int WEEK_OF_MONTH_FIELD = 13;
Useful constant for AM_PM field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for AM_PM field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int AM_PM_FIELD = 14;
Useful constant for one-based HOUR field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. HOUR1_FIELD is used for the one-based 12-hour clock. For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 12:30 AM.
/** * Useful constant for one-based HOUR field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. * HOUR1_FIELD is used for the one-based 12-hour clock. * For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 12:30 AM. */
public final static int HOUR1_FIELD = 15;
Useful constant for zero-based HOUR field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. HOUR0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 12-hour clock. For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 00:30 AM.
/** * Useful constant for zero-based HOUR field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. * HOUR0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 12-hour clock. * For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 00:30 AM. */
public final static int HOUR0_FIELD = 16;
Useful constant for TIMEZONE field alignment. Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
/** * Useful constant for TIMEZONE field alignment. * Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting. */
public final static int TIMEZONE_FIELD = 17; // Proclaim serial compatibility with 1.1 FCS private static final long serialVersionUID = 7218322306649953788L;
Overrides Format. Formats a time object into a time string. Examples of time objects are a time value expressed in milliseconds and a Date object.
Params:
  • obj – must be a Number or a Date.
  • toAppendTo – the string buffer for the returning time string.
  • fieldPosition – keeps track of the position of the field within the returned string. On input: an alignment field, if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 0 and 4, respectively. Notice that if the same time field appears more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone pattern character 'z'.
See Also:
Returns:the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended.
/** * Overrides Format. * Formats a time object into a time string. Examples of time objects * are a time value expressed in milliseconds and a Date object. * @param obj must be a Number or a Date. * @param toAppendTo the string buffer for the returning time string. * @return the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended. * @param fieldPosition keeps track of the position of the field * within the returned string. * On input: an alignment field, * if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For * example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", * if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the * begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to * 0 and 4, respectively. * Notice that if the same time field appears * more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first * occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to * the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern * "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, * the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to * 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone * pattern character 'z'. * @see java.text.Format */
public final StringBuffer format(Object obj, StringBuffer toAppendTo, FieldPosition fieldPosition) { if (obj instanceof Date) return format( (Date)obj, toAppendTo, fieldPosition ); else if (obj instanceof Number) return format( new Date(((Number)obj).longValue()), toAppendTo, fieldPosition ); else throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot format given Object as a Date"); }
Formats a Date into a date/time string.
Params:
  • date – a Date to be formatted into a date/time string.
  • toAppendTo – the string buffer for the returning date/time string.
  • fieldPosition – keeps track of the position of the field within the returned string. On input: an alignment field, if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 0 and 4, respectively. Notice that if the same time field appears more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone pattern character 'z'.
Returns:the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended.
/** * Formats a Date into a date/time string. * @param date a Date to be formatted into a date/time string. * @param toAppendTo the string buffer for the returning date/time string. * @param fieldPosition keeps track of the position of the field * within the returned string. * On input: an alignment field, * if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For * example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", * if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the * begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to * 0 and 4, respectively. * Notice that if the same time field appears * more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first * occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to * the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern * "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, * the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to * 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone * pattern character 'z'. * @return the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended. */
public abstract StringBuffer format(Date date, StringBuffer toAppendTo, FieldPosition fieldPosition);
Formats a Date into a date/time string.
Params:
  • date – the time value to be formatted into a time string.
Returns:the formatted time string.
/** * Formats a Date into a date/time string. * @param date the time value to be formatted into a time string. * @return the formatted time string. */
public final String format(Date date) { return format(date, new StringBuffer(), DontCareFieldPosition.INSTANCE).toString(); }
Parses text from the beginning of the given string to produce a date. The method may not use the entire text of the given string.

See the parse(String, ParsePosition) method for more information on date parsing.

Params:
  • source – A String whose beginning should be parsed.
Throws:
  • ParseException – if the beginning of the specified string cannot be parsed.
Returns:A Date parsed from the string.
/** * Parses text from the beginning of the given string to produce a date. * The method may not use the entire text of the given string. * <p> * See the {@link #parse(String, ParsePosition)} method for more information * on date parsing. * * @param source A <code>String</code> whose beginning should be parsed. * @return A <code>Date</code> parsed from the string. * @exception ParseException if the beginning of the specified string * cannot be parsed. */
public Date parse(String source) throws ParseException { ParsePosition pos = new ParsePosition(0); Date result = parse(source, pos); if (pos.index == 0) throw new ParseException("Unparseable date: \"" + source + "\"" , pos.errorIndex); return result; }
Parse a date/time string according to the given parse position. For example, a time text "07/10/96 4:5 PM, PDT" will be parsed into a Date that is equivalent to Date(837039928046).

By default, parsing is lenient: If the input is not in the form used by this object's format method but can still be parsed as a date, then the parse succeeds. Clients may insist on strict adherence to the format by calling setLenient(false).

Params:
  • source – The date/time string to be parsed
  • pos – On input, the position at which to start parsing; on output, the position at which parsing terminated, or the start position if the parse failed.
See Also:
  • setLenient.setLenient(boolean)
Returns: A Date, or null if the input could not be parsed
/** * Parse a date/time string according to the given parse position. For * example, a time text "07/10/96 4:5 PM, PDT" will be parsed into a Date * that is equivalent to Date(837039928046). * * <p> By default, parsing is lenient: If the input is not in the form used * by this object's format method but can still be parsed as a date, then * the parse succeeds. Clients may insist on strict adherence to the * format by calling setLenient(false). * * @see java.text.DateFormat#setLenient(boolean) * * @param source The date/time string to be parsed * * @param pos On input, the position at which to start parsing; on * output, the position at which parsing terminated, or the * start position if the parse failed. * * @return A Date, or null if the input could not be parsed */
public abstract Date parse(String source, ParsePosition pos);
Parses text from a string to produce a Date.

The method attempts to parse text starting at the index given by pos. If parsing succeeds, then the index of pos is updated to the index after the last character used (parsing does not necessarily use all characters up to the end of the string), and the parsed date is returned. The updated pos can be used to indicate the starting point for the next call to this method. If an error occurs, then the index of pos is not changed, the error index of pos is set to the index of the character where the error occurred, and null is returned.

See the parse(String, ParsePosition) method for more information on date parsing.

Params:
  • source – A String, part of which should be parsed.
  • pos – A ParsePosition object with index and error index information as described above.
Throws:
Returns:A Date parsed from the string. In case of error, returns null.
/** * Parses text from a string to produce a <code>Date</code>. * <p> * The method attempts to parse text starting at the index given by * <code>pos</code>. * If parsing succeeds, then the index of <code>pos</code> is updated * to the index after the last character used (parsing does not necessarily * use all characters up to the end of the string), and the parsed * date is returned. The updated <code>pos</code> can be used to * indicate the starting point for the next call to this method. * If an error occurs, then the index of <code>pos</code> is not * changed, the error index of <code>pos</code> is set to the index of * the character where the error occurred, and null is returned. * <p> * See the {@link #parse(String, ParsePosition)} method for more information * on date parsing. * * @param source A <code>String</code>, part of which should be parsed. * @param pos A <code>ParsePosition</code> object with index and error * index information as described above. * @return A <code>Date</code> parsed from the string. In case of * error, returns null. * @exception NullPointerException if <code>pos</code> is null. */
public Object parseObject(String source, ParsePosition pos) { return parse(source, pos); }
Constant for full style pattern.
/** * Constant for full style pattern. */
public static final int FULL = 0;
Constant for long style pattern.
/** * Constant for long style pattern. */
public static final int LONG = 1;
Constant for medium style pattern.
/** * Constant for medium style pattern. */
public static final int MEDIUM = 2;
Constant for short style pattern.
/** * Constant for short style pattern. */
public static final int SHORT = 3;
Constant for default style pattern. Its value is MEDIUM.
/** * Constant for default style pattern. Its value is MEDIUM. */
public static final int DEFAULT = MEDIUM;
Gets the time formatter with the default formatting style for the default locale.
Returns:a time formatter.
/** * Gets the time formatter with the default formatting style * for the default locale. * @return a time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getTimeInstance() { return get(DEFAULT, 0, 1, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style for the default locale.
Params:
  • style – the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale.
Returns:a time formatter.
/** * Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style * for the default locale. * @param style the given formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. * @return a time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getTimeInstance(int style) { return get(style, 0, 1, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style for the given locale.
Params:
  • style – the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale.
  • aLocale – the given locale.
Returns:a time formatter.
/** * Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style * for the given locale. * @param style the given formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. * @param aLocale the given locale. * @return a time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getTimeInstance(int style, Locale aLocale) { return get(style, 0, 1, aLocale); }
Gets the date formatter with the default formatting style for the default locale.
Returns:a date formatter.
/** * Gets the date formatter with the default formatting style * for the default locale. * @return a date formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateInstance() { return get(0, DEFAULT, 2, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style for the default locale.
Params:
  • style – the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale.
Returns:a date formatter.
/** * Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style * for the default locale. * @param style the given formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. * @return a date formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateInstance(int style) { return get(0, style, 2, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style for the given locale.
Params:
  • style – the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale.
  • aLocale – the given locale.
Returns:a date formatter.
/** * Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style * for the given locale. * @param style the given formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. * @param aLocale the given locale. * @return a date formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateInstance(int style, Locale aLocale) { return get(0, style, 2, aLocale); }
Gets the date/time formatter with the default formatting style for the default locale.
Returns:a date/time formatter.
/** * Gets the date/time formatter with the default formatting style * for the default locale. * @return a date/time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateTimeInstance() { return get(DEFAULT, DEFAULT, 3, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the date/time formatter with the given date and time formatting styles for the default locale.
Params:
  • dateStyle – the given date formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale.
  • timeStyle – the given time formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale.
Returns:a date/time formatter.
/** * Gets the date/time formatter with the given date and time * formatting styles for the default locale. * @param dateStyle the given date formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. * @param timeStyle the given time formatting style. For example, * SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. * @return a date/time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateTimeInstance(int dateStyle, int timeStyle) { return get(timeStyle, dateStyle, 3, Locale.getDefault()); }
Gets the date/time formatter with the given formatting styles for the given locale.
Params:
  • dateStyle – the given date formatting style.
  • timeStyle – the given time formatting style.
  • aLocale – the given locale.
Returns:a date/time formatter.
/** * Gets the date/time formatter with the given formatting styles * for the given locale. * @param dateStyle the given date formatting style. * @param timeStyle the given time formatting style. * @param aLocale the given locale. * @return a date/time formatter. */
public final static DateFormat getDateTimeInstance(int dateStyle, int timeStyle, Locale aLocale) { return get(timeStyle, dateStyle, 3, aLocale); }
Get a default date/time formatter that uses the SHORT style for both the date and the time.
/** * Get a default date/time formatter that uses the SHORT style for both the * date and the time. */
public final static DateFormat getInstance() { return getDateTimeInstance(SHORT, SHORT); }
Returns an array of all locales for which the get*Instance methods of this class can return localized instances. The returned array represents the union of locales supported by the Java runtime and by installed DateFormatProvider implementations. It must contain at least a Locale instance equal to Locale.US.
Returns:An array of locales for which localized DateFormat instances are available.
/** * Returns an array of all locales for which the * <code>get*Instance</code> methods of this class can return * localized instances. * The returned array represents the union of locales supported by the Java * runtime and by installed * {@link java.text.spi.DateFormatProvider DateFormatProvider} implementations. * It must contain at least a <code>Locale</code> instance equal to * {@link java.util.Locale#US Locale.US}. * * @return An array of locales for which localized * <code>DateFormat</code> instances are available. */
public static Locale[] getAvailableLocales() { LocaleServiceProviderPool pool = LocaleServiceProviderPool.getPool(DateFormatProvider.class); return pool.getAvailableLocales(); }
Set the calendar to be used by this date format. Initially, the default calendar for the specified or default locale is used.
Params:
  • newCalendar – the new Calendar to be used by the date format
/** * Set the calendar to be used by this date format. Initially, the default * calendar for the specified or default locale is used. * @param newCalendar the new Calendar to be used by the date format */
public void setCalendar(Calendar newCalendar) { this.calendar = newCalendar; }
Gets the calendar associated with this date/time formatter.
Returns:the calendar associated with this date/time formatter.
/** * Gets the calendar associated with this date/time formatter. * @return the calendar associated with this date/time formatter. */
public Calendar getCalendar() { return calendar; }
Allows you to set the number formatter.
Params:
  • newNumberFormat – the given new NumberFormat.
/** * Allows you to set the number formatter. * @param newNumberFormat the given new NumberFormat. */
public void setNumberFormat(NumberFormat newNumberFormat) { this.numberFormat = newNumberFormat; }
Gets the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses to format and parse a time.
Returns:the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses.
/** * Gets the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses to * format and parse a time. * @return the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses. */
public NumberFormat getNumberFormat() { return numberFormat; }
Sets the time zone for the calendar of this DateFormat object.
Params:
  • zone – the given new time zone.
/** * Sets the time zone for the calendar of this DateFormat object. * @param zone the given new time zone. */
public void setTimeZone(TimeZone zone) { calendar.setTimeZone(zone); }
Gets the time zone.
Returns:the time zone associated with the calendar of DateFormat.
/** * Gets the time zone. * @return the time zone associated with the calendar of DateFormat. */
public TimeZone getTimeZone() { return calendar.getTimeZone(); }
Specify whether or not date/time parsing is to be lenient. With lenient parsing, the parser may use heuristics to interpret inputs that do not precisely match this object's format. With strict parsing, inputs must match this object's format.
Params:
  • lenient – when true, parsing is lenient
See Also:
/** * Specify whether or not date/time parsing is to be lenient. With * lenient parsing, the parser may use heuristics to interpret inputs that * do not precisely match this object's format. With strict parsing, * inputs must match this object's format. * @param lenient when true, parsing is lenient * @see java.util.Calendar#setLenient */
public void setLenient(boolean lenient) { calendar.setLenient(lenient); }
Tell whether date/time parsing is to be lenient.
/** * Tell whether date/time parsing is to be lenient. */
public boolean isLenient() { return calendar.isLenient(); }
Overrides hashCode
/** * Overrides hashCode */
public int hashCode() { return numberFormat.hashCode(); // just enough fields for a reasonable distribution }
Overrides equals
/** * Overrides equals */
public boolean equals(Object obj) { if (this == obj) return true; if (obj == null || getClass() != obj.getClass()) return false; DateFormat other = (DateFormat) obj; return (// calendar.equivalentTo(other.calendar) // THIS API DOESN'T EXIST YET! calendar.getFirstDayOfWeek() == other.calendar.getFirstDayOfWeek() && calendar.getMinimalDaysInFirstWeek() == other.calendar.getMinimalDaysInFirstWeek() && calendar.isLenient() == other.calendar.isLenient() && calendar.getTimeZone().equals(other.calendar.getTimeZone()) && numberFormat.equals(other.numberFormat)); }
Overrides Cloneable
/** * Overrides Cloneable */
public Object clone() { DateFormat other = (DateFormat) super.clone(); other.calendar = (Calendar) calendar.clone(); other.numberFormat = (NumberFormat) numberFormat.clone(); return other; }
Creates a DateFormat with the given time and/or date style in the given locale.
Params:
  • timeStyle – a value from 0 to 3 indicating the time format, ignored if flags is 2
  • dateStyle – a value from 0 to 3 indicating the time format, ignored if flags is 1
  • flags – either 1 for a time format, 2 for a date format, or 3 for a date/time format
  • loc – the locale for the format
/** * Creates a DateFormat with the given time and/or date style in the given * locale. * @param timeStyle a value from 0 to 3 indicating the time format, * ignored if flags is 2 * @param dateStyle a value from 0 to 3 indicating the time format, * ignored if flags is 1 * @param flags either 1 for a time format, 2 for a date format, * or 3 for a date/time format * @param loc the locale for the format */
private static DateFormat get(int timeStyle, int dateStyle, int flags, Locale loc) { if ((flags & 1) != 0) { if (timeStyle < 0 || timeStyle > 3) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("Illegal time style " + timeStyle); } } else { timeStyle = -1; } if ((flags & 2) != 0) { if (dateStyle < 0 || dateStyle > 3) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("Illegal date style " + dateStyle); } } else { dateStyle = -1; } try { // Check whether a provider can provide an implementation that's closer // to the requested locale than what the Java runtime itself can provide. LocaleServiceProviderPool pool = LocaleServiceProviderPool.getPool(DateFormatProvider.class); if (pool.hasProviders()) { DateFormat providersInstance = pool.getLocalizedObject( DateFormatGetter.INSTANCE, loc, timeStyle, dateStyle, flags); if (providersInstance != null) { return providersInstance; } } return new SimpleDateFormat(timeStyle, dateStyle, loc); } catch (MissingResourceException e) { return new SimpleDateFormat("M/d/yy h:mm a"); } }
Create a new date format.
/** * Create a new date format. */
protected DateFormat() {}
Defines constants that are used as attribute keys in the AttributedCharacterIterator returned from DateFormat.formatToCharacterIterator and as field identifiers in FieldPosition.

The class also provides two methods to map between its constants and the corresponding Calendar constants.

See Also:
Since:1.4
/** * Defines constants that are used as attribute keys in the * <code>AttributedCharacterIterator</code> returned * from <code>DateFormat.formatToCharacterIterator</code> and as * field identifiers in <code>FieldPosition</code>. * <p> * The class also provides two methods to map * between its constants and the corresponding Calendar constants. * * @since 1.4 * @see java.util.Calendar */
public static class Field extends Format.Field { // Proclaim serial compatibility with 1.4 FCS private static final long serialVersionUID = 7441350119349544720L; // table of all instances in this class, used by readResolve private static final Map instanceMap = new HashMap(18); // Maps from Calendar constant (such as Calendar.ERA) to Field // constant (such as Field.ERA). private static final Field[] calendarToFieldMapping = new Field[Calendar.FIELD_COUNT];
Calendar field.
/** Calendar field. */
private int calendarField;
Returns the Field constant that corresponds to the Calendar constant calendarField. If there is no direct mapping between the Calendar constant and a Field, null is returned.
Params:
  • calendarField – Calendar field constant
Throws:
  • IllegalArgumentException – if calendarField is not the value of a Calendar field constant.
See Also:
Returns:Field instance representing calendarField.
/** * Returns the <code>Field</code> constant that corresponds to * the <code>Calendar</code> constant <code>calendarField</code>. * If there is no direct mapping between the <code>Calendar</code> * constant and a <code>Field</code>, null is returned. * * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <code>calendarField</code> is * not the value of a <code>Calendar</code> field constant. * @param calendarField Calendar field constant * @return Field instance representing calendarField. * @see java.util.Calendar */
public static Field ofCalendarField(int calendarField) { if (calendarField < 0 || calendarField >= calendarToFieldMapping.length) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unknown Calendar constant " + calendarField); } return calendarToFieldMapping[calendarField]; }
Creates a Field.
Params:
  • name – the name of the Field
  • calendarField – the Calendar constant this Field corresponds to; any value, even one outside the range of legal Calendar values may be used, but -1 should be used for values that don't correspond to legal Calendar values
/** * Creates a <code>Field</code>. * * @param name the name of the <code>Field</code> * @param calendarField the <code>Calendar</code> constant this * <code>Field</code> corresponds to; any value, even one * outside the range of legal <code>Calendar</code> values may * be used, but <code>-1</code> should be used for values * that don't correspond to legal <code>Calendar</code> values */
protected Field(String name, int calendarField) { super(name); this.calendarField = calendarField; if (this.getClass() == DateFormat.Field.class) { instanceMap.put(name, this); if (calendarField >= 0) { // assert(calendarField < Calendar.FIELD_COUNT); calendarToFieldMapping[calendarField] = this; } } }
Returns the Calendar field associated with this attribute. For example, if this represents the hours field of a Calendar, this would return Calendar.HOUR. If there is no corresponding Calendar constant, this will return -1.
See Also:
Returns:Calendar constant for this field
/** * Returns the <code>Calendar</code> field associated with this * attribute. For example, if this represents the hours field of * a <code>Calendar</code>, this would return * <code>Calendar.HOUR</code>. If there is no corresponding * <code>Calendar</code> constant, this will return -1. * * @return Calendar constant for this field * @see java.util.Calendar */
public int getCalendarField() { return calendarField; }
Resolves instances being deserialized to the predefined constants.
Throws:
  • InvalidObjectException – if the constant could not be resolved.
Returns:resolved DateFormat.Field constant
/** * Resolves instances being deserialized to the predefined constants. * * @throws InvalidObjectException if the constant could not be * resolved. * @return resolved DateFormat.Field constant */
protected Object readResolve() throws InvalidObjectException { if (this.getClass() != DateFormat.Field.class) { throw new InvalidObjectException("subclass didn't correctly implement readResolve"); } Object instance = instanceMap.get(getName()); if (instance != null) { return instance; } else { throw new InvalidObjectException("unknown attribute name"); } } // // The constants //
Constant identifying the era field.
/** * Constant identifying the era field. */
public final static Field ERA = new Field("era", Calendar.ERA);
Constant identifying the year field.
/** * Constant identifying the year field. */
public final static Field YEAR = new Field("year", Calendar.YEAR);
Constant identifying the month field.
/** * Constant identifying the month field. */
public final static Field MONTH = new Field("month", Calendar.MONTH);
Constant identifying the day of month field.
/** * Constant identifying the day of month field. */
public final static Field DAY_OF_MONTH = new Field("day of month", Calendar.DAY_OF_MONTH);
Constant identifying the hour of day field, where the legal values are 1 to 24.
/** * Constant identifying the hour of day field, where the legal values * are 1 to 24. */
public final static Field HOUR_OF_DAY1 = new Field("hour of day 1",-1);
Constant identifying the hour of day field, where the legal values are 0 to 23.
/** * Constant identifying the hour of day field, where the legal values * are 0 to 23. */
public final static Field HOUR_OF_DAY0 = new Field("hour of day", Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
Constant identifying the minute field.
/** * Constant identifying the minute field. */
public final static Field MINUTE =new Field("minute", Calendar.MINUTE);
Constant identifying the second field.
/** * Constant identifying the second field. */
public final static Field SECOND =new Field("second", Calendar.SECOND);
Constant identifying the millisecond field.
/** * Constant identifying the millisecond field. */
public final static Field MILLISECOND = new Field("millisecond", Calendar.MILLISECOND);
Constant identifying the day of week field.
/** * Constant identifying the day of week field. */
public final static Field DAY_OF_WEEK = new Field("day of week", Calendar.DAY_OF_WEEK);
Constant identifying the day of year field.
/** * Constant identifying the day of year field. */
public final static Field DAY_OF_YEAR = new Field("day of year", Calendar.DAY_OF_YEAR);
Constant identifying the day of week field.
/** * Constant identifying the day of week field. */
public final static Field DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH = new Field("day of week in month", Calendar.DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH);
Constant identifying the week of year field.
/** * Constant identifying the week of year field. */
public final static Field WEEK_OF_YEAR = new Field("week of year", Calendar.WEEK_OF_YEAR);
Constant identifying the week of month field.
/** * Constant identifying the week of month field. */
public final static Field WEEK_OF_MONTH = new Field("week of month", Calendar.WEEK_OF_MONTH);
Constant identifying the time of day indicator (e.g. "a.m." or "p.m.") field.
/** * Constant identifying the time of day indicator * (e.g. "a.m." or "p.m.") field. */
public final static Field AM_PM = new Field("am pm", Calendar.AM_PM);
Constant identifying the hour field, where the legal values are 1 to 12.
/** * Constant identifying the hour field, where the legal values are * 1 to 12. */
public final static Field HOUR1 = new Field("hour 1", -1);
Constant identifying the hour field, where the legal values are 0 to 11.
/** * Constant identifying the hour field, where the legal values are * 0 to 11. */
public final static Field HOUR0 = new Field("hour", Calendar.HOUR);
Constant identifying the time zone field.
/** * Constant identifying the time zone field. */
public final static Field TIME_ZONE = new Field("time zone", -1); }
Obtains a DateFormat instance from a DateFormatProvider implementation.
/** * Obtains a DateFormat instance from a DateFormatProvider * implementation. */
private static class DateFormatGetter implements LocaleServiceProviderPool.LocalizedObjectGetter<DateFormatProvider, DateFormat> { private static final DateFormatGetter INSTANCE = new DateFormatGetter(); public DateFormat getObject(DateFormatProvider dateFormatProvider, Locale locale, String key, Object... params) { assert params.length == 3; int timeStyle = (Integer)params[0]; int dateStyle = (Integer)params[1]; int flags = (Integer)params[2]; switch (flags) { case 1: return dateFormatProvider.getTimeInstance(timeStyle, locale); case 2: return dateFormatProvider.getDateInstance(dateStyle, locale); case 3: return dateFormatProvider.getDateTimeInstance(dateStyle, timeStyle, locale); default: assert false : "should not happen"; } return null; } } }