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Date in JavaScript-tutorial

In JavaScript, you can manage dates and times easily using the built-in Date object. The Date object lets you create, format, and work with dates and times in different ways.

Ways to Create a Data Object

JavaScript's Date constructor supports multiple ways to crate a date

Method	Description	Example
new Date()	Current date and time	const now = new Date();
new Date(milliseconds)	Date from milliseconds since Jan 1, 1970	new Date(1625480000000)
new Date(dateString)	Date from a string	new Date("2023-10-29T12:00:00")
new Date(year, month, day, hours, minutes, seconds, ms)	Specific date and time	new Date(2023, 4, 15, 12, 30, 0)

Note: Month is 0-based, so 4 is May.

Example: Display Current Date and Time

<html>

<body>
    Current Date and Time: <span id="txt"></span>
    <script>
        var today = new Date();
        document.getElementById('txt').innerHTML = today;
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output

Example: Print Current Time Only

<html>

<body>
    Current Time: <span id="txt"></span>
    <script>
        var today = new Date();
        var h = today.getHours();
        var m = today.getMinutes();
        var s = today.getSeconds();
        document.getElementById('txt').innerHTML = h + ":" + m + ":" + s;
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output

Example: Digital Clock Example

Display a live updating digital clock using setTimeout and JavaScript

<html>

<body>
    Current Time: <span id="txt"></span>
    <script>
        window.onload = function () { getTime(); }
        function getTime() {
            var today = new Date();
            var h = today.getHours();
            var m = today.getMinutes();
            var s = today.getSeconds();
            m = checkTime(m);
            s = checkTime(s);
            document.getElementById('txt').innerHTML = h + ":" + m + ":" + s;
            setTimeout(getTime, 1000);
        }
        function checkTime(i) {
            return (i < 10) ? "0" + i : i;
        }
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output

Key Point

Use the Date object to get current date and time.

Create specific dates by passing milliseconds, date strings, or detailed values.

Build digital clocks with JavaScript easily.