Java: getMinutes and getHours

Java 8 and java.time

The java.time package, introduced in Java 8, improves handling of dates and times:

LocalDateTime now = LocalDateTime.now();
int hours = now.getHour(); // "What's the time Mr. Wolf?"
int minutes = now.getMinute();
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Java Evolution: This approach is ISO-8601 standard-friendly and helps prevent those awkward time zone mix ups. Kind of like when you call your Australian friend at 3 AM instead of PM.

Time zones? No problem!

The java.time package offers ZonedDateTime, which effortlessly handles time zones:

ZonedDateTime zonedNow = ZonedDateTime.now();
int zoneAwareHours = zonedNow.getHour(); // Jet lag is so last century...
int zoneAwareMinutes = zonedNow.getMinute();
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Avoid the default time zone surprises, and explicitly specify the time zone:

ZonedDateTime zonedNowInParis = ZonedDateTime.now(ZoneId.of("Europe/Paris")); // Bonjour, mon ami!
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Time traveling with ThreeTen-Extra

In addition to java.time, the ThreeTen-Extra project offers more date time functionalities:

// Great Scott! The future arrives promptly at midnight.
LocalDateTime tomorrow = LocalDateTime.now().plusDays(1);
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Evading outdated methods

Old code may reveal deprecated methods like Date.getHours() or Date.getMinutes(). Upgrading to java.time or using the Joda-Time library (pre-Java 8), helps keep your code in the modern era:

// "Old code never dies, it just fades away..." 
int hours = oldDate.getHours();
int minutes = oldDate.getMinutes();
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JDBC 4.2+ compatibility

Working with java.time types becomes a breeze with JDBC 4.2 compliant drivers, which facilitates direct mapping with databases:

LocalDateTime dbDateTime = resultSet.getObject("column_name", LocalDateTime.class); // "I love it when data comes together."
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This direct mapping keeps things DRY, meaning less room for errors.

Month Hygiene 101

Keep in mind that with Calendar: the months are zero-based, so add one to make life easier:

int month = cal.get(Calendar.MONTH) + 1; // "Array indices start at 0. Months start at 1... usually."
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Month offsets: Easy to overlook but could lead to those facepalm off-by-one errors.

24h vs 12h with Calendar

Whether your app calls for 24-hour or 12-hour format, Calendar has your back:

int hours24 = cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY); // Military time
int hours12 = cal.get(Calendar.HOUR); // Civilian time
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Knowing the difference saves you from having to Google "What the heck is 1700 hours in normal time?".

Addressing Date's limitations

Directly using Date's methods is discouraged. Instead, Calendar provides a better approach:

Date currentTime = new Date();
Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.setTime(currentTime);
int hours = cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY); // No funny business with this one
int minutes = cal.get(Calendar.MINUTE);
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Say no to deprecated methods and ambiguous defaults.

For the Joda-Time fans

For those not using Java 8+, Joda-Time is at your service:

DateTime now = new DateTime();
int hours = now.getHourOfDay();
int minutes = now.getMinuteOfHour();
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Tip: Hold on to your Joda-Time code until the voyage to Java 8 is complete.