Type object 'datetime.datetime' has no attribute 'datetime'

Navigating the common pitfalls like a pro.

While datetime can feel like a maze, knowing the common traps can make it a cakewalk:

• Module vs Class: It's like Batman and Bruce Wayne, same guy, but context matters. datetime is the name of both the module and a class within it.
• Shadowed Variables: Naming a variable datetime is like calling your dog "dog", confusing and a bit dull.
• Namespace Collision: Importing datetime inconsistently is like inconsistent pizza toppings, it messes up the taste, and the pizza!

Creating datetime objects - let there be dates!

Make new datetime objects as simple as assembling a sandwich.

date = datetime(2023, 4, 1)  # Party like it's 2023-04-01!
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Don't forget: datetime likes its year, month, and day to be integers, like a toddler insisting on the right number of bedtime stories.

Time travelling with timedelta

Use the Delorean... err, timedelta from datetime for comfortable time travelling without leaving your chair:

from datetime import datetime, timedelta

past = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1)  # Yesterday, all my troubles so far away...
future = datetime.now() + timedelta(days=1)  # If I could turn back time... oh wait, I can!
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Add or subtract days, hours, even microseconds with timedelta. Who needs time machines?

Only fools rush in, visualise the datetime space

Consider this conceptual diagram for the datetime.datetime error:

# Understanding the 'datetime' Module and Object

# [🗃️ datetime module] contains [⏰ datetime object]

Accessing:
✅ Correct: datetime.now()
❌ Incorrect: datetime.datetime.now()

Just like dealing with an uncooperative vending machine, you only need to press the button once to get the snack! Similarly, no need to duplicate datetime.

Tips, tricks, and those wonderful "Aha!" moments

Beating collision with python's own witness protection program - aliasing

To avoid identity crises and collisions, meet Python's own witness protection program: aliasing.

import datetime as dt

broken_time = dt.datetime.now()  # Hurrah! No collision.
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Meet dt the friendlier, conflict-free version of datetime.

Dancing with 'timezones'

For fluent timezone waltzing, we can recruit pytz to be our dance partner:

from datetime import datetime
import pytz

paris_time= datetime.now(pytz.timezone('Europe/Paris'))  # Say bonjour to the correct time in Paris!
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No more timezone blunders. Plus, a virtual trip to Paris.

Formatting is like putting on a suit for your date

The strftime helps datetime put its suit on:

perfect_date = datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')  # Mr. Bond, your date is ready!
print(perfect_date)  # Outputs: 2023-04-01 12:34:56
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Dress up your date in all sorts of styles with strftime.