Python date string to date object

Managing different date formats

Date strings come in various patterns. Use format codes in strptime to define the structured hint:

• "%Y-%m-%d" for "2023-04-12"
• "%d/%m/%Y" for "12/04/2023"
• "%m/%d/%Y" for "04/12/2023"
• "%B %d, %Y" for "April 12, 2023"

from datetime import datetime

# ISO, Euro, US dates
# Just like basketball teams, but with less sweat
date_object_iso = datetime.strptime("2023-04-12", "%Y-%m-%d").date()
date_object_euro = datetime.strptime("12/04/2023", "%d/%m/%Y").date()
date_object_us = datetime.strptime("04/12/2023", "%m/%d/%Y").date()

# Show-off date, for formal invitations and PhD theses.
date_object_full = datetime.strptime("April 12, 2023", "%B %d, %Y").date()
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Pitfalls to avoid:

• Forgetting .date() can return unwanted 00:00:00 time.
• Format inconsistency can throw a party-ruining ValueError.

Handling irregular date formats

For handling diverse and bizarre date strings, take advantage of dateutil.parser.parse：

from dateutil import parser

# Flexible, like a gymnast
complex_date_string = "Wed, 12 April 2023"
date_object_flexible = parser.parse(complex_date_string).date()
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While dateutil.parser.parse can handle the flex, remember it defaults to a datetime object – add .date() to maintain calendar sanity!

Navigating around common errors

During parsing, a bevy of errors may appear:

• ValueError: Check your strptime format.
• Locale errors: Keep an eye on locale settings for month and day names.
• Timezone blues: Handle tzinfo when using dateutil.parser.parse.

Ensuring conversion accuracy

Try out these assertions to ensure your date object is spot on:

# Auditing the result - 'cause even Python can make mistakes!
assert date_object.year == 2023
assert date_object.month == 3
assert date_object.day == 14
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Reversing the process: Date object to string

Need to reverse-engineer the object back into a string? Use strftime！

# The spy who came in from the cold(date object)
formatted_date_string = date_object.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
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Alter the format string to tailor it to your styling desires.