How to format date time in language independent way?

Question

I need to show date and time in this format, Date: 9th Dec, Time: 19:20

Although my following code is working fine in English, have no idea this is correct way in other languages which my application is supporting like Chinese, Thai, etc. Any idea would be appreciated? Thanks

This is my code:

private String getFormattedTime(Calendar calendar)
{
   int hour = calendar.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
   int minute = calendar.get(Calendar.MINUTE);

   StringBuilder sBuilder = new StringBuilder(4);
   sBuilder.append(hour);
   sBuilder.append(":");

   // We want to display the hour like this: 12:09,
   // but by not using following code it becomes 12:9
   if (minute < 10)
   {
      sBuilder.append("0");
   }
   sBuilder.append(minute);

   return sBuilder.toString();
}

private String getDateSuffix( int day)
{
   if (day < 1 || day > 31)
   {
      throw new IllegalArgumentException("Illegal day of month");
   }

   switch (day)
   {
      case 1:
      case 21:
      case 31:
      return ("st");

      case 2:
      case 22:
      return ("nd");

      case 3:
      case 23:
      return ("rd");

      default:
      return ("th");
    }
}

[`DateFormat`](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/text/DateFormat.html) — MadProgrammer, Dec 09 '14 at 02:13
Thanks @MadProgrammer, seems is the refrence that I'm looking for. I'm reading it... — Hesam, Dec 09 '14 at 02:33

Hesam · Answer 1 · 2014-12-09T09:25:00.450

I did some research based on what @MadProgrammer said and this is my code for those how have same problem. DateFormat and SimpleDateFormat Examples.

private String getFormattedDate(Calendar calendar)
    {
        Date date = calendar.getTime(); // out: Dec 9, 2014

        //        String str = DateFormat.getDateInstance().format(date);
        //        Log.d(TAG, str);

        String str = new SimpleDateFormat("MMM d").format(date);
        //        Log.d(TAG, str);

        return str;
    }

private String getFormattedTime(Calendar calendar)
    {
        Date date = calendar.getTime();

        String str = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT).format(date);
        //        Log.d(TAG, str);

        return str;
    }

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 09 '14 at 03:48

0

I would recommend that you use Joda Time.

Here is an example from their Quick Start Guide.

  DateTime dt = new DateTime();
  String monthName = dt.monthOfYear().getAsText();
  String frenchShortName = dt.monthOfYear().getAsShortText(Locale.FRENCH);

While "Dec" could mean December or décembre, Joda will use the correct one, depending on Locale.

Since Locale.CHINESE and Locale.THAI are available, it will do the translation for you.

If you use Java 8, Joda comes with the package.

You will save yourself a mountain of work if you use this package.

answered Dec 09 '14 at 03:48

rajah9

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It has a problem based on my tests. All digits are in Eng format. I want even digits displays in the language that is set on Device. Do you have any idea? – Hesam Dec 09 '14 at 05:37
The digits are arabic numerals, not English. Chinese and Thai speakers will read and understand the arabic numerals. So for the Dec 9th, did you want 9, 9th, 九 (Chinese), ๙ (Thai), or something else? For December, did you want the Chinese 12th month (十二月)? – rajah9 Dec 09 '14 at 14:19
For Chinese, take a look at http://www.chinese-tools.com/learn/chinese/07-year-month-date-day.html. They are using 5月 for May (literally, "5 moon"). – rajah9 Dec 09 '14 at 14:22

How to format date time in language independent way?

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