Validating a date in java

Question

I am using NetBeans IDE 7.2. I have two seperate classes newDateTest.java and newDateMethod.java, I am currently using my method class to validate a date from a user input which I have used in my test class.

So far in my Test class I have the following:

try
{
    Prompt ="please enter a date in the format dd-mm-yyyy";
    System.out.println(Prompt);
    String inputDate = in.next();
    isValid = newDateMethod.validDate(input, input, input);
    if (isValid){
        System.out.println("VALID DATE");

    } else {
        System.out.println("INVALID DATE");

    }

}catch (ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException oob) {
    System.out.println(oob);
}
}

However I have no idea how to validate the date in my method class as i am fairly new to Java.

Can anyone come to a solution? the sort iof thing I've been taught to use is Date Formmater but not sure whether this is appropriate here? if so wouldn't know how to use it

Answer 1

Like this:

Date date = null;
String inputDate = "07-01-2013";
try {
    DateFormat formatter = new SimpleDateFormat("dd-MM-yyyy");
    formatter.setLenient(false);
    date = formatter.parse(inputDate);
} catch (ParseException e) { 
    e.printStackTrace();
}

Updated on 13-Jul-2021:

I heartily agree with Ole V.V.'s comment below. All Java and Kotlin developers should prefer the java.time package.

I'll add a more modern example when time permits.

Answer 2

Have a look at SimpleDateFormat.parse(...) and do remember to surround with try-catch.