asked on

Java (JDK 1.5+) Date and Time validation and conversion

I need to know the best way to validate a date\time string if format matches the below patterns and if ok - convert to Calendar

The below does not work I think a org.apache.commons.validator.routines does not do date and time together - any help on this or another wa y - example would be great - a BIG THANKS

//*****************************************************************************
private Calendar paseDateTime(String datetime) {
Calendar result = null; ;
CalendarValidator validator = new CalendarValidator();

result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd.MM.yy hh:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd.MM.yyyy hh:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd.MM.yy hh:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd.MM.yyyy hh:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd//MM//yy hh:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd//MM//yyyy hh:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd//MM//yy hh:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = validator.validate(datetime, "dd//MM//yyyy hh:mm:ss");

return result;
}

Mick Barry

try:

CalendarValidator validator = new CalendarValidator(true, DateFormat.LONG);

or using SDF:

try {
SimpleDateFormat sdf = new SimpleDateFormat(patter);
sdf.setLenient(false);
Date d = sdf.parse(datestring);
cal.setTime(d);
return cal;
} catch (Exception ex) {
// not valid
}

stephenowen

ASKER

will try first thing in morning - am GMT
thanks for fast response - I will respond back under 8 hours

stephenowen

ASKER

No luck works for some dates but it does not detect valid dates.

Have set sdf.setLenient(true) and also false same results

Test data
23.04.2006 17:24
22/03/07 09:34:00 {FAILS}
01/12/07 21:00:00 {FAILS}
12.23.2007 18:23 (SHOULD FAIL - DOES NOT - SEE MONTH - in wrong position)
01/12/07 21:00:00 {FAILS}

=========
private Calendar checkDateTime(String datestring,String pattern){

Calendar result = Calendar.getInstance();
SimpleDateFormat sdf = null;
try {
sdf = new SimpleDateFormat(pattern);
sdf.setLenient(true);
java.util.Date d = sdf.parse(datestring);
String temp = sdf.toPattern();
result.setTime(d);
} catch (Exception ex) {
// not valid
result = null;
}
finally {
sdf = null;
}
return result;
}
//*****************************************************************************
private Calendar paseDateTime(CalendarValidator validator, String datetime) {
Calendar result = null; ;

result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd.MM.yy HH:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd.MM.yy HH:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd//MM//yy HH:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd//MM//yyyy HH:mm");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd//MM//yy HH:mm:ss");
if (result != null)
return result;
result = checkDateTime(datetime, "dd//MM//yyyy HH:mm:ss");

return result;
}

//*****************************************************************************

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mick Barry

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