# DateFormat

public abstract class **DateFormat** extends [Format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html)  

|---|---|---|
| Known Direct Subclasses [SimpleDateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html) |---|---| | [SimpleDateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html) | `SimpleDateFormat` is a concrete class for formatting and parsing dates in a locale-sensitive manner. | |||

`DateFormat` is an abstract class for date/time formatting subclasses which
formats and parses dates or time in a language-independent manner.
The date/time formatting subclass, such as `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html`, allows for
formatting (i.e., date → text), parsing (text → date), and
normalization. The date is represented as a `Date` object or
as the milliseconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 GMT.

`DateFormat` provides many class methods for obtaining default date/time
formatters based on the default or a given locale and a number of formatting
styles. The formatting styles include `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#FULL`, `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#LONG`, `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MEDIUM`, and `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#SHORT`. More
detail and examples of using these styles are provided in the method
descriptions.

`DateFormat` helps you to format and parse dates for any locale.
Your code can be completely independent of the locale conventions for
months, days of the week, or even the calendar format: lunar vs. solar.

To format a date for the current Locale, use one of the
static factory methods:
>
>     myString = DateFormat.getDateInstance().format(myDate);
>      
If you are formatting multiple dates, it is
more efficient to get the format and use it multiple times so that
the system doesn't have to fetch the information about the local
language and country conventions multiple times.
>
>     DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance();
>      for (int i = 0; i < myDate.length; ++i) {
>          output.println(df.format(myDate[i]) + "; ");
>      }
>      
To format a date for a different Locale, specify it in the
call to `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale)`.
>
>     DateFormat df = DateFormat.getDateInstance(DateFormat.LONG, Locale.FRANCE);
>      
You can use a DateFormat to parse also.
>
>     myDate = df.parse(myString);
>      
Use `getDateInstance` to get the normal date format for that country.
There are other static factory methods available.
Use `getTimeInstance` to get the time format for that country.
Use `getDateTimeInstance` to get a date and time format. You can pass in
different options to these factory methods to control the length of the
result; from `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#SHORT` to `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MEDIUM` to `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#LONG` to `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#FULL`. The exact result depends
on the locale, but generally:

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#SHORT` is completely numeric, such as `12.13.52` or `3:30pm`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MEDIUM` is longer, such as `Jan 12, 1952`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#LONG` is longer, such as `January 12, 1952` or `3:30:32pm`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#FULL` is pretty completely specified, such as `Tuesday, April 12, 1952 AD or 3:30:42pm PST`.

You can also set the time zone on the format if you wish.
If you want even more control over the format or parsing,
(or want to give your users more control),
you can try casting the `DateFormat` you get from the factory methods
to a `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html`. This will work for the majority
of countries; just remember to put it in a `try` block in case you
encounter an unusual one.

You can also use forms of the parse and format methods with
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html` and `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html` to
allow you to

- progressively parse through pieces of a string.
- align any particular field, or find out where it is for selection on the screen.

### Synchronization


Date formats are not synchronized.
It is recommended to create separate format instances for each thread.
If multiple threads access a format concurrently, it must be synchronized
externally.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/GregorianCalendar.html`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html`

### Nested Class Summary

|---|---|---|---|
| class | [DateFormat.Field](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.Field.html) || Defines constants that are used as attribute keys in the `AttributedCharacterIterator` returned from `DateFormat.formatToCharacterIterator` and as field identifiers in `FieldPosition`. |

### Constant Summary

|---|---|---|
| int | [AM_PM_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#AM_PM_FIELD) | Useful constant for AM_PM field alignment. |
| int | [DATE_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DATE_FIELD) | Useful constant for DATE field alignment. |
| int | [DAY_OF_WEEK_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DAY_OF_WEEK_FIELD) | Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK field alignment. |
| int | [DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH_FIELD) | Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH field alignment. |
| int | [DAY_OF_YEAR_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DAY_OF_YEAR_FIELD) | Useful constant for DAY_OF_YEAR field alignment. |
| int | [DEFAULT](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DEFAULT) | Constant for default style pattern. |
| int | [ERA_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#ERA_FIELD) | Useful constant for ERA field alignment. |
| int | [FULL](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#FULL) | Constant for full style pattern. |
| int | [HOUR0_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#HOUR0_FIELD) | Useful constant for zero-based HOUR field alignment. |
| int | [HOUR1_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#HOUR1_FIELD) | Useful constant for one-based HOUR field alignment. |
| int | [HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD) | Useful constant for zero-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. |
| int | [HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD) | Useful constant for one-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment. |
| int | [LONG](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#LONG) | Constant for long style pattern. |
| int | [MEDIUM](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MEDIUM) | Constant for medium style pattern. |
| int | [MILLISECOND_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MILLISECOND_FIELD) | Useful constant for MILLISECOND field alignment. |
| int | [MINUTE_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MINUTE_FIELD) | Useful constant for MINUTE field alignment. |
| int | [MONTH_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#MONTH_FIELD) | Useful constant for MONTH field alignment. |
| int | [SECOND_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#SECOND_FIELD) | Useful constant for SECOND field alignment. |
| int | [SHORT](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#SHORT) | Constant for short style pattern. |
| int | [TIMEZONE_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#TIMEZONE_FIELD) | Useful constant for TIMEZONE field alignment. |
| int | [WEEK_OF_MONTH_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#WEEK_OF_MONTH_FIELD) | Useful constant for WEEK_OF_MONTH field alignment. |
| int | [WEEK_OF_YEAR_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#WEEK_OF_YEAR_FIELD) | Useful constant for WEEK_OF_YEAR field alignment. |
| int | [YEAR_FIELD](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#YEAR_FIELD) | Useful constant for YEAR field alignment. |

### Field Summary

|---|---|---|
| protected [Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html) | [calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#calendar) | The `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html` instance used for calculating the date-time fields and the instant of time. |
| protected [NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html) | [numberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#numberFormat) | The number formatter that `DateFormat` uses to format numbers in dates and times. |

### Protected Constructor Summary

|---|---|
|   | [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#DateFormat())() Create a new date format. |

### Public Method Summary

|---|---|
| [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [clone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#clone())() Overrides Cloneable |
| boolean | [equals](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#equals(java.lang.Object))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj) Overrides equals |
| final [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) | [format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#format(java.lang.Object,%20java.lang.StringBuffer,%20java.text.FieldPosition))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj, [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) toAppendTo, [FieldPosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html) fieldPosition) Overrides Format. |
| abstract [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) | [format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#format(java.util.Date,%20java.lang.StringBuffer,%20java.text.FieldPosition))([Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) date, [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) toAppendTo, [FieldPosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html) fieldPosition) Formats a Date into a date/time string. |
| final [String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) | [format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#format(java.util.Date))([Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) date) Formats a Date into a date/time string. |
| static [Locale\[\]](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) | [getAvailableLocales](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getAvailableLocales())() Returns an array of all locales for which the `get*Instance` methods of this class can return localized instances. |
| [Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html) | [getCalendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getCalendar())() Gets the calendar associated with this date/time formatter. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale))(int style, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale) Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style for the given locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance(int))(int style) Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance())() Gets the date formatter with the default formatting style for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateTimeInstance(int,%20int))(int dateStyle, int timeStyle) Gets the date/time formatter with the given date and time formatting styles for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateTimeInstance(int,%20int,%20java.util.Locale))(int dateStyle, int timeStyle, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale) Gets the date/time formatter with the given formatting styles for the given locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getDateTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateTimeInstance())() Gets the date/time formatter with the default formatting style for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getInstance())() Get a default date/time formatter that uses the SHORT style for both the date and the time. |
| [NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html) | [getNumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getNumberFormat())() Gets the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses to format and parse a time. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeInstance(int))(int style) Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale))(int style, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale) Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style for the given locale. |
| final static [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html) | [getTimeInstance](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeInstance())() Gets the time formatter with the default formatting style for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale. |
| [TimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html) | [getTimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeZone())() Gets the time zone. |
| int | [hashCode](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#hashCode())() Overrides hashCode |
| boolean | [isLenient](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#isLenient())() Tell whether date/time parsing is to be lenient. |
| [Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) | [parse](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#parse(java.lang.String))([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source) Parses text from the beginning of the given string to produce a date. |
| abstract [Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) | [parse](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#parse(java.lang.String,%20java.text.ParsePosition))([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source, [ParsePosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html) pos) Parse a date/time string according to the given parse position. |
| [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [parseObject](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#parseObject(java.lang.String,%20java.text.ParsePosition))([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source, [ParsePosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html) pos) Parses text from a string to produce a `Date`. |
| void | [setCalendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setCalendar(java.util.Calendar))([Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html) newCalendar) Set the calendar to be used by this date format. |
| void | [setLenient](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setLenient(boolean))(boolean lenient) Specify whether or not date/time parsing is to be lenient. |
| void | [setNumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setNumberFormat(java.text.NumberFormat))([NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html) newNumberFormat) Allows you to set the number formatter. |
| void | [setTimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setTimeZone(java.util.TimeZone))([TimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html) zone) Sets the time zone for the calendar of this `DateFormat` object. |

### Inherited Method Summary

From class [java.text.Format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html)

|---|---|
| [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [clone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#clone())() Creates and returns a copy of this object. |
| final [String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) | [format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#format(java.lang.Object))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj) Formats an object to produce a string. |
| abstract [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) | [format](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#format(java.lang.Object,%20java.lang.StringBuffer,%20java.text.FieldPosition))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj, [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) toAppendTo, [FieldPosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html) pos) Formats an object and appends the resulting text to a given string buffer. |
| [AttributedCharacterIterator](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/AttributedCharacterIterator.html) | [formatToCharacterIterator](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#formatToCharacterIterator(java.lang.Object))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj) Formats an Object producing an `AttributedCharacterIterator`. |
| [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [parseObject](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#parseObject(java.lang.String))([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source) Parses text from the beginning of the given string to produce an object. |
| abstract [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [parseObject](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html#parseObject(java.lang.String,%20java.text.ParsePosition))([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source, [ParsePosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html) pos) Parses text from a string to produce an object. |

From class [java.lang.Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html)

|---|---|
| [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) | [clone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#clone())() Creates and returns a copy of this `Object`. |
| boolean | [equals](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#equals(java.lang.Object))([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj) Compares this instance with the specified object and indicates if they are equal. |
| void | [finalize](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#finalize())() Invoked when the garbage collector has detected that this instance is no longer reachable. |
| final [Class](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Class.html)\<?\> | [getClass](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#getClass())() Returns the unique instance of `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Class.html` that represents this object's class. |
| int | [hashCode](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#hashCode())() Returns an integer hash code for this object. |
| final void | [notify](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#notify())() Causes a thread which is waiting on this object's monitor (by means of calling one of the `wait()` methods) to be woken up. |
| final void | [notifyAll](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#notifyAll())() Causes all threads which are waiting on this object's monitor (by means of calling one of the `wait()` methods) to be woken up. |
| [String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) | [toString](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#toString())() Returns a string containing a concise, human-readable description of this object. |
| final void | [wait](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#wait(long,%20int))(long timeout, int nanos) Causes the calling thread to wait until another thread calls the `notify()` or `notifyAll()` method of this object or until the specified timeout expires. |
| final void | [wait](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#wait(long))(long timeout) Causes the calling thread to wait until another thread calls the `notify()` or `notifyAll()` method of this object or until the specified timeout expires. |
| final void | [wait](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html#wait())() Causes the calling thread to wait until another thread calls the `notify()` or `notifyAll()` method of this object. |

## Constants

#### public static final int
**AM_PM_FIELD**

Useful constant for AM_PM field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 14

#### public static final int
**DATE_FIELD**

Useful constant for DATE field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 3

#### public static final int
**DAY_OF_WEEK_FIELD**

Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 9

#### public static final int
**DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH_FIELD**

Useful constant for DAY_OF_WEEK_IN_MONTH field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 11

#### public static final int
**DAY_OF_YEAR_FIELD**

Useful constant for DAY_OF_YEAR field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 10

#### public static final int
**DEFAULT**

Constant for default style pattern. Its value is MEDIUM.
Constant Value: 2

#### public static final int
**ERA_FIELD**

Useful constant for ERA field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 0

#### public static final int
**FULL**

Constant for full style pattern.
Constant Value: 0

#### public static final int
**HOUR0_FIELD**

Useful constant for zero-based HOUR field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
HOUR0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 12-hour clock.
For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 00:30 AM.
Constant Value: 16

#### public static final int
**HOUR1_FIELD**

Useful constant for one-based HOUR field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
HOUR1_FIELD is used for the one-based 12-hour clock.
For example, 11:30 PM + 1 hour results in 12:30 AM.
Constant Value: 15

#### public static final int
**HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD**

Useful constant for zero-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
HOUR_OF_DAY0_FIELD is used for the zero-based 24-hour clock.
For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 00:59.
Constant Value: 5

#### public static final int
**HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD**

Useful constant for one-based HOUR_OF_DAY field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
HOUR_OF_DAY1_FIELD is used for the one-based 24-hour clock.
For example, 23:59 + 01:00 results in 24:59.
Constant Value: 4

#### public static final int
**LONG**

Constant for long style pattern.
Constant Value: 1

#### public static final int
**MEDIUM**

Constant for medium style pattern.
Constant Value: 2

#### public static final int
**MILLISECOND_FIELD**

Useful constant for MILLISECOND field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 8

#### public static final int
**MINUTE_FIELD**

Useful constant for MINUTE field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 6

#### public static final int
**MONTH_FIELD**

Useful constant for MONTH field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 2

#### public static final int
**SECOND_FIELD**

Useful constant for SECOND field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 7

#### public static final int
**SHORT**

Constant for short style pattern.
Constant Value: 3

#### public static final int
**TIMEZONE_FIELD**

Useful constant for TIMEZONE field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 17

#### public static final int
**WEEK_OF_MONTH_FIELD**

Useful constant for WEEK_OF_MONTH field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 13

#### public static final int
**WEEK_OF_YEAR_FIELD**

Useful constant for WEEK_OF_YEAR field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 12

#### public static final int
**YEAR_FIELD**

Useful constant for YEAR field alignment.
Used in FieldPosition of date/time formatting.
Constant Value: 1

## Fields

#### protected [Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html)
**calendar**

The `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html` instance used for calculating the date-time fields
and the instant of time. This field is used for both formatting and
parsing.

Subclasses should initialize this field to a `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html`
appropriate for the `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html` associated with this
`DateFormat`.

#### protected [NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html)
**numberFormat**

The number formatter that `DateFormat` uses to format numbers
in dates and times. Subclasses should initialize this to a number format
appropriate for the locale associated with this `DateFormat`.

## Protected Constructors

#### protected
**DateFormat**
()

Create a new date format.

## Public Methods

#### public [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html)
**clone**
()

Overrides Cloneable

##### Returns

- a clone of this instance.

#### public boolean
**equals**
([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj)

Overrides equals

##### Parameters

| obj | the object to compare this instance with. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- `true` if the specified object is equal to this `Object`; `false` otherwise.

#### public final [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html)
**format**
([Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html) obj, [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) toAppendTo, [FieldPosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html) fieldPosition)

Overrides Format.
Formats a time object into a time string. Examples of time objects
are a time value expressed in milliseconds and a Date object.

##### Parameters

| obj | must be a Number or a Date. |
| toAppendTo | the string buffer for the returning time string. |
| fieldPosition | keeps track of the position of the field within the returned string. On input: an alignment field, if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 0 and 4, respectively. Notice that if the same time field appears more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone pattern character 'z'. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/Format.html`

#### public abstract [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html)
**format**
([Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) date, [StringBuffer](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/StringBuffer.html) toAppendTo, [FieldPosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/FieldPosition.html) fieldPosition)

Formats a Date into a date/time string.

##### Parameters

| date | a Date to be formatted into a date/time string. |
| toAppendTo | the string buffer for the returning date/time string. |
| fieldPosition | keeps track of the position of the field within the returned string. On input: an alignment field, if desired. On output: the offsets of the alignment field. For example, given a time text "1996.07.10 AD at 15:08:56 PDT", if the given fieldPosition is DateFormat.YEAR_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 0 and 4, respectively. Notice that if the same time field appears more than once in a pattern, the fieldPosition will be set for the first occurrence of that time field. For instance, formatting a Date to the time string "1 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)" using the pattern "h a z (zzzz)" and the alignment field DateFormat.TIMEZONE_FIELD, the begin index and end index of fieldPosition will be set to 5 and 8, respectively, for the first occurrence of the timezone pattern character 'z'. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- the string buffer passed in as toAppendTo, with formatted text appended.

#### public final [String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html)
**format**
([Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html) date)

Formats a Date into a date/time string.

##### Parameters

| date | the time value to be formatted into a time string. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- the formatted time string.

#### public static [Locale\[\]](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html)
**getAvailableLocales**
()

Returns an array of all locales for which the
`get*Instance` methods of this class can return
localized instances.

##### Returns

- An array of locales for which localized `DateFormat` instances are available.

#### public [Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html)
**getCalendar**
()

Gets the calendar associated with this date/time formatter.

##### Returns

- the calendar associated with this date/time formatter.

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateInstance**
(int style, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale)

Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style
for the given locale.

##### Parameters

| style | the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. |
| aLocale | the given locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a date formatter.

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateInstance**
(int style)

Gets the date formatter with the given formatting style
for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Parameters

| style | the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a date formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateInstance**
()

Gets the date formatter with the default formatting style
for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Returns

- a date formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateTimeInstance**
(int dateStyle, int timeStyle)

Gets the date/time formatter with the given date and time
formatting styles for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateTimeInstance(int,%20int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Parameters

| dateStyle | the given date formatting style. For example, SHORT for "M/d/yy" in the US locale. |
| timeStyle | the given time formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a date/time formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateTimeInstance**
(int dateStyle, int timeStyle, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale)

Gets the date/time formatter with the given formatting styles
for the given locale.

##### Parameters

| dateStyle | the given date formatting style. |
| timeStyle | the given time formatting style. |
| aLocale | the given locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a date/time formatter.

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getDateTimeInstance**
()

Gets the date/time formatter with the default formatting style
for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getDateTimeInstance(int,%20int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Returns

- a date/time formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getInstance**
()

Get a default date/time formatter that uses the SHORT style for both the
date and the time.

##### Returns

- a date/time formatter

#### public [NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html)
**getNumberFormat**
()

Gets the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses to
format and parse a time.

##### Returns

- the number formatter which this date/time formatter uses.

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getTimeInstance**
(int style)

Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style
for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Parameters

| style | the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a time formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getTimeInstance**
(int style, [Locale](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html) aLocale)

Gets the time formatter with the given formatting style
for the given locale.

##### Parameters

| style | the given formatting style. For example, SHORT for "h:mm a" in the US locale. |
| aLocale | the given locale. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- a time formatter.

#### public static final [DateFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html)
**getTimeInstance**
()

Gets the time formatter with the default formatting style
for the default `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT` locale.

This is equivalent to calling
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#getTimeInstance(int,%20java.util.Locale)`.

##### Returns

- a time formatter.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.html#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)`
- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Locale.Category.html#FORMAT`

#### public [TimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html)
**getTimeZone**
()

Gets the time zone.
This method is equivalent to the following call.
>
>     getCalendar().getTimeZone()
>      
<br />

##### Returns

- the time zone associated with the calendar of DateFormat.

#### public int
**hashCode**
()

Overrides hashCode

##### Returns

- this object's hash code.

#### public boolean
**isLenient**
()

Tell whether date/time parsing is to be lenient.
This method is equivalent to the following call.
>
>     getCalendar().isLenient()
>      
<br />

##### Returns

- `true` if the `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#calendar` is lenient; `false` otherwise.

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html#isLenient()`

#### public [Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html)
**parse**
([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source)

Parses text from the beginning of the given string to produce a date.
The method may not use the entire text of the given string.


See the `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#parse(java.lang.String,%20java.text.ParsePosition)` method for more information
on date parsing.

##### Parameters

| source | A `String` whose beginning should be parsed. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- A `Date` parsed from the string.

##### Throws

| [ParseException](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParseException.html) | if the beginning of the specified string cannot be parsed. |
|---|---|

#### public abstract [Date](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Date.html)
**parse**
([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source, [ParsePosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html) pos)

Parse a date/time string according to the given parse position. For
example, a time text `"07/10/96 4:5 PM, PDT"` will be parsed into a `Date`
that is equivalent to `Date(837039900000L)`.

By default, parsing is lenient: If the input is not in the form used
by this object's format method but can still be parsed as a date, then
the parse succeeds. Clients may insist on strict adherence to the
format by calling `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setLenient(boolean)`.

This parsing operation uses the `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#calendar` to produce
a `Date`. As a result, the `calendar`'s date-time
fields and the `TimeZone` value may have been
overwritten, depending on subclass implementations. Any `TimeZone` value that has previously been set by a call to
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setTimeZone(java.util.TimeZone)` may need
to be restored for further operations.

##### Parameters

| source | The date/time string to be parsed |
| pos | On input, the position at which to start parsing; on output, the position at which parsing terminated, or the start position if the parse failed. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- A `Date`, or `null` if the input could not be parsed

#### public [Object](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/Object.html)
**parseObject**
([String](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/String.html) source, [ParsePosition](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/ParsePosition.html) pos)

Parses text from a string to produce a `Date`.


The method attempts to parse text starting at the index given by
`pos`.
If parsing succeeds, then the index of `pos` is updated
to the index after the last character used (parsing does not necessarily
use all characters up to the end of the string), and the parsed
date is returned. The updated `pos` can be used to
indicate the starting point for the next call to this method.
If an error occurs, then the index of `pos` is not
changed, the error index of `pos` is set to the index of
the character where the error occurred, and null is returned.


See the `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#parse(java.lang.String,%20java.text.ParsePosition)` method for more information
on date parsing.

##### Parameters

| source | A `String`, part of which should be parsed. |
| pos | A `ParsePosition` object with index and error index information as described above. |
|---|---|

##### Returns

- A `Date` parsed from the string. In case of error, returns null.

##### Throws

| [NullPointerException](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException.html) | if `pos` is null. |
|---|---|

#### public void
**setCalendar**
([Calendar](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html) newCalendar)

Set the calendar to be used by this date format. Initially, the default
calendar for the specified or default locale is used.

Any `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html` and {@linkplain #isLenient() leniency} values that have previously been set are
overwritten by `newCalendar`'s values.

##### Parameters

| newCalendar | the new `Calendar` to be used by the date format |
|---|---|

#### public void
**setLenient**
(boolean lenient)

Specify whether or not date/time parsing is to be lenient. With
lenient parsing, the parser may use heuristics to interpret inputs that
do not precisely match this object's format. With strict parsing,
inputs must match this object's format.

This method is equivalent to the following call.
>
>     getCalendar().setLenient(lenient)
>      
This leniency value is overwritten by a call to `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setCalendar(java.util.Calendar)`.

##### Parameters

| lenient | when `true`, parsing is lenient |
|---|---|

##### See Also

- `https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/Calendar.html#setLenient(boolean)`

#### public void
**setNumberFormat**
([NumberFormat](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/NumberFormat.html) newNumberFormat)

Allows you to set the number formatter.

##### Parameters

| newNumberFormat | the given new NumberFormat. |
|---|---|

#### public void
**setTimeZone**
([TimeZone](https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html) zone)

Sets the time zone for the calendar of this `DateFormat` object.
This method is equivalent to the following call.
>
>     getCalendar().setTimeZone(zone)
>      
The `TimeZone` set by this method is overwritten by a
`https://developers.google.com/j2objc/javadoc/jre/reference/java/text/DateFormat.html#setCalendar(java.util.Calendar)` call.

The `TimeZone` set by this method may be overwritten as
a result of a call to the parse method.

##### Parameters

| zone | the given new time zone. |
|---|---|