Java Calendar setTime()

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

1. Calendar setTime() Method Overview

Definition:

The setTime() method of the Calendar class in Java sets the Calendar object's current time with the given Date.

Syntax:

public void setTime(Date date)

Parameters:

- date: The Date object that will set the Calendar object's current time.

Key Points:

- The setTime() method allows you to explicitly set the date and time of a Calendar object.

- The time of the Calendar is set as the number of milliseconds since the epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 GMT).

- This method is often used when you want a Calendar object to represent a specific moment in time rather than the current system date and time.

2. Calendar setTime() Method Example

import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;

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

        // Creating a specific Date object
        Date customDate = new Date(100, 0, 1);  // January 1, 2000

        // Setting the Calendar with the specific Date
        calendar.setTime(customDate);

        System.out.println("Set Date: " + calendar.getTime());
    }
}

Output:

Set Date: Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT 2000

Explanation:

In the example, we first create a Calendar instance. Then, we create a Date object representing January 1, 2000. By invoking the setTime() method on the Calendar instance and passing in the Date object, we set the calendar's date and time to January 1, 2000. We then retrieve and print the date using getTime().