The Java TM Tutorial

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Trail: Internationalization
Lesson: Formatting

## Dates and Times

> `Date` objects represent dates and times. You cannot display or print a `Date` object without first converting it to a `String` that is in the proper format. Just what is the "proper" format? First, the format should conform to the conventions of the end user's `Locale`. For example, Germans recognize `20.4.98` as a valid date, but Americans expect that same date to appear as `4/20/98`. Second, the format should include the necessary information. For instance, a program that measures network performance may report on elapsed milliseconds. An online appointment calendar probably won't display milliseconds, but it will show the days of the week.

> This section explains how to format dates and times in various ways and in a locale-sensitive manner. If you follow these techniques your programs will display dates and times in the appropriate `Locale`, but your source code will remain independent of any specific `Locale`.

### Using Predefined Formats

> The `DateFormat` class provides predefined formatting styles that are locale-specific and easy to use.

### Customizing Formats

> With the `SimpleDateFormat` class, you can create customized, locale-specific formats.

### Changing Date Format Symbols

> Using the `DateFormatSymbols` class, you can change the symbols that represent the names of months, days of the week, and other formatting elements.

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