Question

I have a string (ex: 2012-30-03 12:30), and I am trying to use the following code:

DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm");
this.startTime = (Date) df.parse(startTime); // startTime = "2012-30-03 12:30"

But when I try the following:

System.out.println(this.startTime);

The following get printed

Tue Jun 03 12:30:00 CEST 2014

What the heck is wrong here?

Is there a better way to turn the kind of string I have into a working date object?

Answer 1

I think

DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm");

should be

DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-dd-MM HH:mm");

based on the example string you provided (2012-30-03 12:30).

Focus your rage against the date class into verifying the basics and you’ll be ok. 😉