## org.springframework.format.datetime
Class DateFormatter

    java.lang.Object
      org.springframework.format.datetime.DateFormatter

All Implemented Interfaces:
  Formatter<Date>, Parser<Date>, Printer<Date>

    public class DateFormatter

extends Object
implements Formatter<Date>

A formatter for `Date` types. Allows the configuration of an explicit date pattern and locale.

Since:
  3.0
Author:
  Keith Donald, Juergen Hoeller
See Also:
  `SimpleDateFormat`

Constructor Summary
`DateFormatter()` Create a new default DateFormatter.
`DateFormatter(String pattern)` Create a new DateFormatter for the given date pattern.

Method Summary
`protected DateFormat` `getDateFormat(Locale locale)`
`Date` `parse(String text, Locale locale)` Parse a text String to produce a T.
`String` `print(Date date, Locale locale)` Print the object of type T for display.
`void` `setLenient(boolean lenient)` Specify whether or not parsing is to be lenient.
`void` `setPattern(String pattern)` Set the pattern to use to format date values.
`void` `setStyle(int style)` Set the style to use to format date values.
`void` `setTimeZone(TimeZone timeZone)` Set the TimeZone to normalize the date values into, if any.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
`clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

Constructor Detail

### DateFormatter

    public DateFormatter()

  Create a new default DateFormatter.

### DateFormatter

    public DateFormatter(String pattern)

  Create a new DateFormatter for the given date pattern.

Method Detail

### setPattern

    public void setPattern(String pattern)

  Set the pattern to use to format date values.

  If not specified, DateFormat's default style will be used.

### setStyle

    public void setStyle(int style)

  Set the style to use to format date values.

  If not specified, DateFormat's default style will be used.

  See Also:
    `DateFormat.DEFAULT`, `DateFormat.SHORT`, `DateFormat.MEDIUM`, `DateFormat.LONG`, `DateFormat.FULL`

### setTimeZone

    public void setTimeZone(TimeZone timeZone)

  Set the TimeZone to normalize the date values into, if any.

### setLenient

    public void setLenient(boolean lenient)

  Specify whether or not parsing is to be lenient. Default is false.

  With lenient parsing, the parser may allow inputs that do not precisely match the format. With strict parsing, inputs must match the format exactly.

### print

    public String print(Date date,
                        Locale locale)

  Description copied from interface: `Printer`
  Print the object of type T for display.

  Specified by:
    `print` in interface `Printer<Date>`
  Parameters:
    `date` - the instance to print
    `locale` - the current user locale
  Returns:
    the printed text string

### parse

    public Date parse(String text,
                      Locale locale)
               throws ParseException

  Description copied from interface: `Parser`
  Parse a text String to produce a T.

  Specified by:
    `parse` in interface `Parser<Date>`
  Parameters:
    `text` - the text string
    `locale` - the current user locale
  Returns:
    an instance of T
  Throws:
    `ParseException` - when a parse exception occurs in a java.text parsing library

### getDateFormat

    protected DateFormat getDateFormat(Locale locale)