How to convert a string in an unknown date format into a python datetime object

Question

I'd like to convert this list of strings of various unknown date formats to a python datetime object. For example:

strings = ["today", "tomorrow", "next Friday", "June 4th", "04/11/2022"]

convert_to_date(strings[0])
>>> 2022-04-08

convert_to_date(strings[1])
>>> 2022-04-09

convert_to_date(strings[3])
>>> 2022-04-15

I tried several methods but found that:

dateutil.parser only works for dates like 04/11/2022
time.strptime and arrow both require me to specify the format
regex would be too complicated and may not work for all scenarios

Is there any library or function that would allow me to do something like this?

Does this answer your question? Convert "unknown format" strings to datetime objects? — Omar Tammam
– Omar Tammam, Commented Apr 10, 2022 at 14:28

moken · Accepted Answer · 2023-07-15 07:50:39Z

0

I don't think there is any library or function to do the thing you're asking to.

Here's some sample code to help you out (in python)

import datetime

def crazyDateToStandard(crazyDate):
    today = datetime.date.today()
    if(crazyDate=='today'):
        print("Today's date:",today)
    elif(crazyDate=='tomorrow'):
        tomorrow = today + datetime.timedelta(days=1)
        print("Tommorow's date:",tomorrow)

#shows today's date
crazyDateToStandard('today')
#shows tommorow's date
crazyDateToStandard('tomorrow')

I have implemented a basic functionality here, its now up to you to figure this code out and ask yourself.

What does each of these functions do?
How i can use it?
How can i implement it to my algorithm?

edited Jul 15, 2023 at 7:50

moken

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answered Apr 9, 2022 at 4:48

theWizard

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1 Comment

Rehan Rajput Over a year ago

I can't tell if this answer is a "troll" answer or not. But there's already a library called date-util which has a parser module which can achieve what the question is asking.

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