DateFormat is an abstract class in the java.text package used to format and parse dates and times in a locale-sensitive manner. It is often used to convert Date objects to readable strings and parse strings back into Date objects.
Key Features
- Format
DatetoString - Parse
StringtoDate - Locale-sensitive formatting
- Supports different styles (FULL, LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT)
Commonly Used Methods
Simple Program
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.util.Date;
public class SimpleDateFormatExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Date currentDate = new Date();
DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.FULL);
String formatted = df.format(currentDate);
System.out.println("Current Date: " + formatted);
}
}
/*
Current Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
*/Problem Statement
Paani and Mahesh are building a Bank Statement Generator. Each transaction must display:
- Transaction Date (formatted for readability)
- Description
- Amount
- Type (Credit/Debit)
Use the DateFormat class to convert Date objects into human-readable strings for the bank statement.
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.util.Date;
class Transaction {
Date date;
String description;
double amount;
String type;
public Transaction(Date date, String description, double amount, String type) {
this.date = date;
this.description = description;
this.amount = amount;
this.type = type;
}
}
public class BankStatementGenerator {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Transaction[] transactions = {
new Transaction(new Date(125, 4, 23), "ATM Withdrawal", 1500.00, "Debit"),
new Transaction(new Date(125, 4, 21), "Salary Credit", 50000.00, "Credit"),
new Transaction(new Date(125, 4, 19), "Online Shopping", 2500.50, "Debit")
};
DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.MEDIUM);
System.out.println("----- Bank Statement -----");
System.out.printf("%-20s %-25s %-10s %-10s\n", "Date", "Description", "Amount", "Type");
for (Transaction t : transactions) {
String formattedDate = df.format(t.date);
System.out.printf("%-20s %-25s ₹%-9.2f %-10s\n", formattedDate, t.description, t.amount, t.type);
}
}
}
/*
----- Bank Statement -----
Date Description Amount Type
May 23, 2025 ATM Withdrawal ₹1500.00 Debit
May 21, 2025 Salary Credit ₹50000.00 Credit
May 19, 2025 Online Shopping ₹2500.50 Debit
*/The DateFormat class is essential for applications that require human-readable date/time output or parsing input dates. It’s especially helpful in internationalized or professional contexts like:
- Bank statements
- Reports
- UI displays
- Logging systems