Date and Time API (java.time package)

The `java.time` package in Java provides a comprehensive API for handling dates, times, durations, and time zones. It was introduced in Java 8 as part of the new Date and Time API, also known as the `java.time` package. This API is designed to be thread-safe, immutable, and easy to use. Let's explore some of the key classes and concepts in the `java.time` package:

1. LocalDate

The `LocalDate` class represents a date without a time zone. It stores the year, month, and day of the month.

import java.time.LocalDate;

public class LocalDateExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        LocalDate today = LocalDate.now();
        System.out.println("Today's date: " + today);
    }
}

2. LocalTime

The `LocalTime` class represents a time without a time zone. It stores the hour, minute, second, and fraction of a second.

import java.time.LocalTime;

public class LocalTimeExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        LocalTime now = LocalTime.now();
        System.out.println("Current time: " + now);
    }
}

3. LocalDateTime

The `LocalDateTime` class represents a date and time without a time zone. It combines `LocalDate` and `LocalTime`.

import java.time.LocalDateTime;

public class LocalDateTimeExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        LocalDateTime dateTime = LocalDateTime.now();
        System.out.println("Current date and time: " + dateTime);
    }
}

4. ZonedDateTime

The `ZonedDateTime` class represents a date and time with a time zone.

import java.time.ZonedDateTime;

public class ZonedDateTimeExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ZonedDateTime now = ZonedDateTime.now();
        System.out.println("Current date and time with zone: " + now);
    }
}

5. Duration and Period

The `Duration` class represents a duration of time, while the `Period` class represents a period of time in terms of years, months, and days.

import java.time.Duration;
import java.time.Period;

public class DurationAndPeriodExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Duration duration = Duration.ofHours(2);
        System.out.println("Duration: " + duration);

        Period period = Period.ofMonths(3);
        System.out.println("Period: " + period);
    }
}

Conclusion

The `java.time` package provides a modern and comprehensive API for handling date and time in Java. By using classes like `LocalDate`, `LocalTime`, `LocalDateTime`, and `ZonedDateTime`, along with utility classes like `Duration` and `Period`, you can easily work with dates, times, and time zones in your Java applications in a thread-safe and immutable manner.