Java Calendar getTime()

In this guide, you will learn about the Calendar getTime() method in Java programming and how to use it with an example.

1. Method Overview

Definition:

The getTime() method of the Calendar class in Java returns a Date object representing the Calendar object's time value (millisecond offset from the Epoch).

Syntax:

public Date getTime()

Parameters:

- None.

Key Points:

- The getTime() method fetches the current date and time that the Calendar object is set to.

- The returned Date object is based on the Calendar object's time value. This is the number of milliseconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 GMT.

- The Calendar object's time value can be set using the setTime(Date date) method.

2. Method Example

import java.util.Calendar;

public class CalendarGetTimeExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Creating a Calendar object
        Calendar calendar = Calendar.getInstance();

        // Getting the Date from Calendar
        java.util.Date currentDate = calendar.getTime();

        System.out.println("Current Date: " + currentDate);
    }
}

Output:

Current Date: Tue Sep 26 06:49:08 GMT 2023

Explanation:

In the example, we first create a Calendar instance which is initialized with the current date and time. By invoking the getTime() method on this instance, we retrieve the current date and time as a Date object which we then print to the console.