As a JavaScript developer, one of the most important skill you need to master is how to set dates. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why dates are so important, how to set them properly, and some tips to follow for optimum results. By the end you’ll be able to confidently set dates in your JavaScript applications. Let’s get started with date 30 days from today!
Why are Dates Important?
Dates are important because they provide a way to measure time. Time is a vital part of almost every appplication we develop whether it’s a simple To-Do list or a complex financial application. Knowing how to set dates correctly ensures that our applciations function as intended and provides a consistent user experience.
How to Set Dates
There are two ways to set dates in JavaScript, through the use of the Date object or by using Moment.js. The Date object is a built-in object in JavaScript that allows us to work with dates and times.
Make use of a popular open-source library that makes working with dates and times much easier. We recommend using Moment.js whenever possible as it provides a more concise API and avoids some of the pitfalls associated with the Date object (e.g. different implementations in different browsers).
How to set a date on Javascript?
When setting a date, there are four properties that we need to be aware of: year, month, day, and hour.
- The year can be represented by either four digits (YYYY) or two digits (YY).
- The month can be represented by either its full name (January – December) or by a number between 1 – 12 inclusive.
- The day should always be represented by two digits ranging from 01 – 31 inclusive regardless of the month selected.
- Finally, the hour can be represented using either a 24 hour clock (00 – 23) or am/pm notation (12:00am – 11:59pm).
Practical Usage Scenarios
There are many practical usage scenarios for dates in JavaScript applications such as calculating age or determining whether an event has expired.
- One common scenario is calculating the number of days until a particular event such as Christmas or a birthday party.
- Another practical usage scenario for dates is displaying them in specific formats such as “Monday, January 1st” or “1/1/2019″/”
- Here are some tips to follow when working with dates in your JavaScript applications:
- Use Moment.js instead of the built-in Date object whenever possible
- When setting hours always use 24 hour notation (00 – 23)
- When setting years always use four digits (YYYY) as two digit years can cause ambiguity
- Always test your code thoroughly! Incorrectly formatted dates can cause unexpected results
- Use comments liberally to annotate your code so that others (and future you!) know what’s going on
- Have fun! Programming should be enjoyable so make sure you take breaks and come back refreshed.
Conclusion:
Setting dates correctly is crucial for any JavaScript developer but it doesn’t have to be difficult! By following the advice in this blog post you’ll be setting dates like a pro in no time at all.