Attributeerror: 'datetime' module has no attribute 'strptime'

How to Use strptime Like a Pro: Guidelines

Double-check your Imports

The strptime method is part of the datetime class, not the module. Importing the whole module can quickly lead to the AttributeError. Keep it classy with the class:

# Similar names, different roles. Just like the Hollywood industry.
from datetime import datetime  
datetime.strptime("2021-12-25", "%Y-%m-%d") # Good to go!

import datetime
datetime.strptime("2021-12-25", "%Y-%m-%d") # Oops! An Oscar-worthy error.
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Understand the Library Hierarchy

datetime comes twice: as a module and as a class within that module. To decipher this casting, picture strptime as a method in the class datetime, not the module:

# Correct way: Import datetime from datetime ... not confusing at all!💡
from datetime import datetime
datetime.strptime('2023-01-01', '%Y-%m-%d')
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Specify Format Strings

strptime follows the patterns of your date string, so specify the format:

# Note to self: '%Y-%m-%d' is a not-so-secret code for 'Year-Month-Day'.
datetime.strptime('2023-01-01', '%Y-%m-%d')

# Apply other formats as per the situation demands:
# '%d/%m/%Y' for 'Day/Month/Year'
# '%m-%d-%Y %H:%M:%S' for 'Month-Day-Year Hours:Minutes:Seconds'
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Beware the Common Pitfalls

Avoid importing entire libraries. Too much of a good thing can lead to conflicts. Validate your code to avoid the runtime errors. Here's a piece of good advice: "You know nothing, Jon Snow... except the correct import order."

# Winter is coming, and so are potentially conflicting imports.
import time
from datetime import datetime
#...some code...
datetime.strptime(...)  # Be sure, Jon Snow!
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Real-world Scenarios with strptime

Converting Strings to Dates

When the night is dark and full of terrors (aka dealing with user inputs or text files), strptime is your faithful squire:

# Here comes the king of the North!
birth_date = '20-03-1987'
birthdate_obj = datetime.strptime(birth_date, '%d-%m-%Y')
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Guarding the Wall: Data Validation

Before charging into the battle with strptime, ensure your sworn sword is a string:

# Here's a catchy house motto: "Expect the worst, hope for the best."
assert isinstance(birth_date, str), "Date must be a string"
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Formatting and Reforging Dates

Reformating a date into a different string representation is straightforward but amazingly powerful. Here's how strftime translates one language (date format) to another:

# That's it. We've found the Children of the Forest's secret language!
new_format = birthdate_obj.strftime('%B %d, %Y')  # 'March 20, 1987'
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Surviving in Timezone Territories

While strptime handles naive date strings like a true knight, for timezone-aware dates, you might need to summon another ally, the python-dateutil:

from dateutil import parser
timezone_aware_date = parser.parse('2023-01-01T12:00:00+01:00')
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