Question

I have a date in NSString format with this content: 29/02/2012 12:00:00 AM

I’m trying to convert it to NSDate object in order to make comparisons using:

    NSDateFormatter *df = [[NSDateFormatter alloc] init];
    [df setDateFormat:@"dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss"];

But when I use dateFromString: method I’m getting a null value.

What I’m missing?

Thanks.

-EDIT-

    NSDateFormatter *df = [[NSDateFormatter alloc] init];
    [df setDateFormat:@"dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"];

    NSLog(@"INFO -> Test Date: %@",[df dateFromString:testQuestions.endDate]);
    NSLog(@"INFO -> Test Date String: %@",testQuestions.endDate);

    if ([[df dateFromString:testQuestions.endDate] earlierDate:[NSDate date]])
    {
        currentTestIsBeingSolved = NO;
    }

Log:

2012-04-09 22:15:29.073 Otsuka On[27184:707] INFO -> Test Date: (null)
2012-04-09 22:15:31.816 Otsuka On[27184:707] INFO -> Test Date String: 29/02/2012 12:00:00 AM

EDIT–

As @trudyscousin suggested I’ve started a new project and added this:

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{
    NSDateFormatter *df = [[NSDateFormatter alloc] init];
    [df setDateFormat:@"dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"];

    NSLog(@"INFO -> Test Date: %@",[df dateFromString:@"29/02/2012 12:00:00 AM"]);
...

Now I’m not getting null but the date is not the same:

2012-04-09 22:26:19.189 TestDate[54705:207] INFO -> Test Date: 2012-02-28 23:00:00 +0000

What is going on with the dates?

Any config in Xcode?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The fact that you’ve suffixed your date and time with “AM” is what is doing it. You have to provide for that as well:

@"dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"