Programming with Dates and Times in Java from Pluralsight

Programming with dates and times is essential to most applications. This course will teach you how to use the java.time library, introduced in Java 8, for handling dates, times, time periods, time zones, and daylight saving time transitions.

Handling dates and times is an essential part of most business and scientific applications. In this course, Programming with Dates and Times in Java, you will learn all about the much-needed new library in Java 8: the java.time API. First, you will learn the basic use of the core java.time classes. Next, you will discover how the library handles the complexities of time zones and daylight saving time transitions. Finally, you will explore the interconversion of java.time classes with other Java types and with database representations. When you are finished with this course, you will have a thorough knowledge of how to use this modern Java library for the fundamentally important problems of handling dates and times in your applications.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Overview of java.time

The Basics of java.time

Working with Time Zones

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers essential time-handling concepts like dates, times, time periods, and time zones

Led by seasoned expert Maurice Naftalin

Tailored specifically for developers requiring proficiency in date and time handling

Leverages the widely recognized Java 8 java.time library

Provides a comprehensive overview of java.time's core functionalities and features

Prerequisites include a basic grasp of Java programming

Reviews summary

Mastering java dates & times

Learners say this course is an excellent and highly practical guide to the modern java.time API in Java 8 and beyond. Students consistently praise the instructor's ability to clarify complex topics, especially the intricacies of time zones and daylight saving time transitions, which are often sources of confusion. The course provides a solid foundation with clear explanations and helpful practical examples that enable immediate application. While it excels at teaching the fundamentals and easing the transition from older date APIs, some learners note a desire for more advanced topics or challenging exercises, suggesting it's most beneficial for those new to or refreshing their understanding of java.time rather than seasoned experts seeking deep dives.

Provides practical examples for immediate use.

"The practical examples were spot on and helped me apply the concepts immediately to my work projects. Highly recommend!"

"A very practical course that delivers on its promise to teach the java.time library."

"The hands-on coding demonstrations were clear and easy to replicate."

"This course is concise, yet covers all the essentials needed to confidently work with dates and times in modern Java applications."

Demystifies complex time zone and DST transitions.

"I found the explanations on time zones and daylight saving time transitions incredibly clear, which is often a confusing topic."

"Fantastically useful course! ... I finally feel confident handling different time zone scenarios without getting confused by DST."

"Time zone handling was a highlight, though."

"This course clarified so many confusing aspects for me, especially regarding ... the nuances of daylight saving."

Exceptionally clear explanations of the java.time API.

"The instructor explains the java.time API thoroughly, covering all the core classes like LocalDate, LocalTime, LocalDateTime, and ZonedDateTime."

"Excellent course for understanding the modern Java Date/Time API. I've struggled with the old java.util.Date and Calendar classes for years, and this course finally made java.time click."

"Finally, a clear explanation of java.time! This course clarified so many confusing aspects for me, especially regarding Instant, ZonedDateTime, and the nuances of daylight saving."

"The instructor breaks down complex topics like ZonedDateTime and OffsetDateTime into digestible chunks."

Can be fast for new Java developers.

"As a relatively new Java developer, I found some of the explanations a bit fast, and I had to pause frequently to research underlying Java concepts..."

"While the content itself is correct, it might benefit from a slower pace or more pre-requisite guidance for less experienced programmers."

Practice problems are sometimes too simplistic.

"My main feedback is that the practice problems sometimes felt too simplistic. More complex, real-world coding challenges would elevate this course further."

"My only minor suggestion would be a few more challenging exercises, but overall, it's comprehensive and well-structured."

"My only minor gripe is that some exercises felt a bit too simple, and I would have preferred more challenging scenarios that mimic real-world problems."

Excellent for basics, but not deep for advanced users.

"I felt it stayed largely at an introductory level. If you're an experienced developer looking for advanced usage... it might not meet your expectations."

"Could use more depth. If you're looking for advanced patterns, performance considerations, or very specific edge cases, you might need to supplement with other resources."

"Useful for absolute beginners to java.time, but if you're already familiar or need more advanced topics, it falls short."

"For those looking for more expert-level content or very specific use cases, they might need to explore additional resources after this."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Programming with Dates and Times in Java with these activities:

Review core Java language concepts

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Helps solidify understanding of foundational Java concepts, which are essential for a successful start in this course.

Browse courses on Java Programming

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Go through online tutorials or documentation on Java basics
Review notes or materials from previous Java courses or projects
Solve practice problems or coding challenges

Refresher: Java date and time libraries

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Review Java date and time libraries to refresh and strengthen your foundational understanding of date and time concepts in Java, which will be essential for working with the java.time library introduced in Java 8.

Browse courses on Java

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Review the Java Date and Time API documentation
Create a sample Java program that uses the Date and Time API to perform basic date and time operations

Organize a study group or participate in peer discussions

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Provides opportunities to discuss concepts, ask questions, and learn from others.

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Find or create a study group with other students in the course
Meet regularly to discuss course materials and work on problems together
Take turns leading discussions and presenting different topics

Eight other activities

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Explore the Java 8 Date and Time Tutorial

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Familiarize yourself with the Java 8 Date and Time API through the official tutorial provided by Oracle. This will provide a guided walkthrough of the API's features and usage.

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Access the Java 8 Date and Time Tutorial on the Oracle website
Follow along with the interactive examples and explanations
Complete the exercises and quizzes to test your understanding

Help other students in the course or in online forums

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Strengthens understanding by explaining concepts to others and reinforces knowledge through practice.

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Join online forums or discussion groups related to the course
Offer help to others who are struggling with concepts
Answer questions and provide explanations

Engage in Class Discussion Forums

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Participate in class discussion forums to share your knowledge, ask questions, and learn from your peers. This will not only clarify concepts but also expose you to different perspectives and approaches to handling date and time in Java.

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Join the class discussion forums
Read through existing discussions and post thoughtful questions or comments
Respond to questions and engage in discussions with your peers

Practice with Java Date and Time Code Challenges

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Reinforce your understanding of the java.time API by solving coding challenges. This will provide hands-on experience in applying the API and addressing common date and time-related programming problems.

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Identify suitable Java Date and Time coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank
Attempt to solve the challenges using the java.time API
Review your solutions and learn from any mistakes

Create a Java Date and Time Cheat Sheet

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Solidify your understanding of the java.time API by creating a comprehensive cheat sheet. This will serve as a quick reference for key concepts, methods, and examples, which can be invaluable during development.

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Organize and categorize the key features of the java.time API
Create clear and concise summaries of important concepts
Include practical examples to illustrate the usage of each feature

Practice Creating Zoned DateTimes

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Practice creating `ZonedDateTime` objects to reinforce knowledge of Java Time API and Date's relationship with Time Zones.

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Review Introduction to Dates and Times
Create `ZonedDateTime` instances from different time zones
Convert between `ZonedDateTime` and other date time types

Develop a Date and Time Management System

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Apply your knowledge of the java.time API by building a practical project that involves managing dates and times. This will provide a comprehensive and hands-on experience in utilizing the API's features and solving real-world problems.

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Design and plan the architecture of your system
Implement the core functionality using the java.time API
Test and debug your system to ensure its accuracy and reliability
Document your code and prepare user instructions

Project: Develop a Time Tracking Application

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Create a practical application to reinforce knowledge of Java Time API and Time Zone handling.

Browse courses on Time Tracking

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Design the application's data model
Implement time tracking functionality
Integrate Java Time API for date and time manipulation
Test and refine the application

Career center

Learners who complete Programming with Dates and Times in Java will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts mine data to identify patterns, spot trends, and make predictions. This can be a valuable asset to companies that use dates and times to track their data, such as those in the healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times efficiently, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their applications are accurate and reliable. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will help you build a foundation in working with dates and times in Java, which will be essential for your success as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their projects are completed on time and within budget. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use statistical methods to analyze data and extract insights. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their results are accurate and reliable. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times efficiently, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. They use dates and times to track the changes made to their databases, manage backups, and ensure that their databases are running smoothly. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will help you build a foundation in working with dates and times in Java, which will be essential for your success as a Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Business Analyst

Business Analysts use data to make recommendations to businesses. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their recommendations are accurate and reliable. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their systems are running smoothly. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will help you build a foundation in working with dates and times in Java, which will be essential for your success as a Systems Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their websites are running smoothly. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Mobile Developer

Mobile Developers design, develop, and maintain mobile applications. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their applications are running smoothly. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Developer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work with software developers to ensure that their applications are running smoothly. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their applications are deployed on time and within budget. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Quality Assurance Tester

Quality Assurance Testers test software applications to ensure that they are working as intended. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their applications are released on time and within budget. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Tester

Technical Writer

Technical Writers write documentation for software applications. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their documentation is accurate and reliable. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

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Help Desk Technician

Help Desk Technicians provide technical support to users. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their users are getting the help they need. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Help Desk Technician

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write code for software applications. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their applications are working as intended. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

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IT Support Specialist

IT Support Specialists provide technical support to users. They use dates and times to track the progress of their projects, manage deadlines, and ensure that their users are getting the help they need. The Programming with Dates and Times in Java course will provide you with the skills you need to work with dates and times effectively, which will give you an advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist