Comparing two dates in different format with python

Question

I have 2 dates defined as a strings. If I would know the original date format, I would compare it like this:

import time
date1 = "1/1/2013 12:00:00 AM" # formatted like "%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S %p"
date2 = "1/1/2016"             # formatted like "%m/%d/%Y"
format1 = "%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S %p"
format2 = "%m/%d/%Y"
if time.strptime(date1, format1) > time.strptime(date2, format2):
   pass

How can I compare it if I do not know the date format?

The best you'll be able to do is trying various formats and seeing if one succeeds. You might be able to speed that process up by examining the string beforehand to select which candidate formats to try first (and not bother with those that couldn't possibly work). — martineau
– martineau, Commented May 31, 2017 at 14:54
Thanks I did write my own solution of this problem with try - except block. — nick_gabpe
– nick_gabpe, Commented Jun 1, 2017 at 14:47

internety · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-31 14:08:37Z

2

How can I compare it if I do not know the date format?

You can't. Every comparison assumes that you know what you are comparing.

answered May 31, 2017 at 14:08

internety

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martineau · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-01 14:54:34Z

1

You can try to parse it with dateutil.parser.parse. This method parse a string in one of the supported formats. And then compare it.

datautil is a third-party module.

edited Jun 1, 2017 at 14:54

martineau

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answered May 31, 2017 at 14:15

ZVErius

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1 Comment

nick_gabpe Over a year ago

This is exactly what I'm searching for!

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