Java - Not getting the timestamp for a specific timezone

Question

In the below code, i m trying to get dateformat for timezone PST, but i didnt get the expected output. But, If I uncomment the 2 lines (setDefault timezone), i m getting the expected results.

Do you have any good option?

    System.out.println("TimeZone.getDefault():"+TimeZone.getDefault()); // CST
   //TimeZone.setDefault(TimeZone.getTimeZone("PST"));
    Calendar cal = java.util.Calendar.getInstance(SimpleTimeZone.getTimeZone("PST"));
  //Calendar cal = java.util.Calendar.getInstance();
    Date c = cal.getTime();
    String out = new java.text.SimpleDateFormat("MMMMMddyyyy").format(c);
    System.out.println("out:"+out);

If the current date in CST is February082015 (at night 12 to 2 AM), then the expected output for PST would be February072015 (PST is 2hrs behind CST). But, I m getting the output as February082015.

What is the expected result? What is the result you are getting? — sashwat
– sashwat, Commented Feb 8, 2015 at 5:22
If the current date in CST is February082015 (at night 12 to 1 AM), then the expected output for PST would be February072015 (PST is 2hrs behind CST). But, I m getting the output as February082015. — Senthil Arumugam SP
– Senthil Arumugam SP, Commented Feb 8, 2015 at 5:25

Elliott Frisch · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-08 05:46:20Z

1

Your DateFormat doesn't inherit a TimeZone from the Calender. To demonstrate, I've added a Z (which will display the time-zone offset). Run it with and without setting the TimeZone and your observed behavior is explained

DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("MMMMMddyyyy Z"); // <-- The Z is TZ
df.setTimeZone(SimpleTimeZone.getTimeZone("PST")); // <-- Add/Remove this
String out = df.format(c);

answered Feb 8, 2015 at 5:46

Elliott Frisch

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5 Comments

Senthil Arumugam SP Over a year ago

Thx for the reply. Actually, I don't want to change the format. I m getting "out:February082015 -0600" as output if i run the above.

Elliott Frisch Over a year ago

That is PST. Remove the Z then.

Senthil Arumugam SP Over a year ago

I didn't notice the timezone set at the dateformat object.

Senthil Arumugam SP Over a year ago

Thank you.!! Its working., SimpleDateFormat df = new java.text.SimpleDateFormat("MMMMMddyyyy"); df.setTimeZone(SimpleTimeZone.getTimeZone("PST")); System.out.println("out:"+df.format(c));

Elliott Frisch Over a year ago

There's no need to use the full package name on the right hand side of the df assignment. Also, I recommend that you prefer the DateFormat interface on the left hand side.

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