Zend_Locale_Format
provides several methods for working with dates and times to help convert and
normalize between different formats for different locales. Use Zend_Date
for manipulating dates.
getDate()
parses strings containing dates in localized formats. The results are returned in a
structured array, with well-defined keys for each part of the date. Since a localized date string may not
contain all parts of a date/time, the key-value pairs are optional. For example, if only the year, month,
and day is given, then all time values are supressed from the returned array, and vice-versa if only hour,
minute, and second were given as input. If no date or time can be found within the given input, an exception
will be thrown.
The following return values are possible, when the BCMath extension is available:
Table 13.2. Return values
Array key | Returned value | Minimum | Maximum |
---|---|---|---|
day | integer | 1 | 31 |
month | integer | 1 | 12 |
year | integer | no limit | no limit |
hour | integer | 0 | no limit |
minute | integer | 0 | 59 |
second | integer | 0 | 59 |
Example 13.28. Normalizing a date
<?php require_once 'Zend/Locale.php'; $date = Zend_Locale_Format::getDate('13.04.2006', 'dd.MM.yyyy'); print_r ($date); ?>
Since getDate()
is "locale-aware", specifying the $locale
is sufficient for date
strings adhering to that locale's format.
Example 13.29. Normalizing a date by locale
<?php require_once 'Zend/Locale.php'; $locale = new Zend_Locale('de_AT'); $date = Zend_Locale_Format::getDate('13.04.2006', null, $locale); print_r ($date); ?>
A complete date and time is returned when the input contains both a date and time in the expected format.
Example 13.30. Normalizing a date with time
<?php require_once 'Zend/Locale.php'; $locale = new Zend_Locale('de_AT'); $date = Zend_Locale_Format::getDate('13.04.2005 22:14:55', false, $locale); print_r ($date); ?>
If a specific format is desired, specify the $format
argument, without giving a
$locale
. Only single-letter codes (H, m, s, y, M, d), and MMMM and EEEE are supported in the
$format
.
Example 13.31. Normalizing a userdefined date
<?php require_once 'Zend/Locale.php'; $date = Zend_Locale_Format::getDate('13200504T551422', 'ddyyyyMM ssmmHH'); print_r ($date); ?>
The format can include the following signs :
Table 13.3. Format definition
Format Letter | Description |
---|---|
d or dd | 1 or 2 digit day |
M or MM | 1 or 2 digit month |
y or yy | 1 or 2 digit year |
yyyy | 4 digit year |
h | 1 or 2 digit hour |
m | 1 or 2 digit minute |
s | 1 or 2 digit second |
Examples for proper formats are
Table 13.4. Example formats
Formats | Input | Output |
---|---|---|
dd.MM.yy | 1.4.6 | ['day'] => 1, ['month'] => 4, ['year'] => 6 |
dd.MM.yy | 01.04.2006 | ['day'] => 1, ['month'] => 4, ['year'] => 2006 |
yyyyMMdd | 1.4.6 | ['day'] => 6, ['month'] => 4, ['year'] => 1 |
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Database date format |
---|---|
To parse a database date value (f.e. MySql or MsSql), use Zend_Date's ISO_8601 format instead of getDate(). |
getDate()
automatically detects and corrects some kinds of problems with input, such as
misplacing the year:
Use isDate()
to check if a given string contains a valid date.
Normally, a time will be returned with a date, if the input contains both. If the proper format is not
known, but the locale relevant to the user input is known, then getTime()
should be used,
because it uses the default time format for the selected locale.