Date Formatting in Java - Aasim's Web Corner

Hi all…

Hope you’re enjoying your time…

Today I will explain how to use date-time (date manipulation) in the Java programming language. I was working on a task where I needed to play with time/date. In my other post, I explained the date formatting in C#. Today you will learn the same concept in Java.

The Java Calendar class (java.util.Calendar) is a very useful and handy class in Java date-time manipulation. Here I will demonstrate how to modify date and time with the Calendar class. First get the current date and time with Calendar().

DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy/MM/dd HH:mm:ss");
Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
System.out.println("Current Date Time : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

now you can use following calender date time manipulation function as per your need


//Add one day to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.DATE, 1);

//Add one month to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.MONTH, 1);

//Add one year to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.YEAR, 1);

//Add one hour to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.HOUR, 1);

//Add one minute to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, 1);

//Add one second to current date time
cal.add(Calendar.SECOND, 1);

//Subtract one day from current date
cal.add(Calendar.DATE, -1);

//Subtract one month from current date
cal.add(Calendar.MONTH, -1);

//Subtract one year from current date
cal.add(Calendar.YEAR, -1);

//Subtract one hour from current date
cal.add(Calendar.HOUR, -1);

//Subtract one minute from current date
cal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, -1);

//Subtract one second from current date
cal.add(Calendar.SECOND, -1);

Here is the full source code to show how to modify date time in Java


import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Calendar;

public class DateTimeManipulation {
public static void main(String[] args) {

DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy/MM/dd HH:mm:ss");
//get current date time with Calendar()
Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
System.out.println("Current Date Time : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal.add(Calendar.DATE, 1);
System.out.println("Add one day to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.MONTH, 1);
System.out.println("Add one month to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.YEAR, 1);
System.out.println("Add one year to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.HOUR, 1);
System.out.println("Add one hour to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, 1);
System.out.println("Add one minute to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.SECOND, 1);
System.out.println("Add one second to current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.DATE, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one day from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.MONTH, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one month from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.YEAR, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one year from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.HOUR, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one hour from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.MINUTE, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one minute from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

cal = Calendar.getInstance();
cal.add(Calendar.SECOND, -1);
System.out.println("Subtract one second from current date : " + dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()));

}
}

Output

Current Date Time : 2010/08/13 10:24:53
Add one day to current date : 2010/08/14 10:24:53
Add one month to current date : 2010/09/13 10:24:53
Add one year to current date : 2011/08/13 10:24:53
Add one hour to current date : 2010/08/13 11:24:53
Add one minute to current date : 2010/08/13 10:25:53
Add one second to current date : 2010/08/13 10:24:54
Subtract one day from current date : 2010/08/12 10:24:53
Subtract one month from current date : 2010/07/13 10:24:53
Subtract one year from current date : 2009/08/13 10:24:53
Subtract one hour from current date : 2010/08/13 09:24:53
Subtract one minute from current date : 2010/08/13 10:23:53
Subtract one second from current date : 2010/08/13 10:24:52

Thanks for your time.

Author Profile

Aasim Naseem

Hey, Thanks for your interest. I’m a PMP, AWS Solutions Architect, and Scrum Master certified professional with 17+ years of hands-on experience leading projects, building teams, and helping organizations deliver software solutions better, faster, and smarter.

Outside of work, I’ve got a deep curiosity for history — especially ancient civilizations like Egypt. I also enjoy reflecting on the everyday moments that shape how we live and work. This blog is my space to share insights, lessons, and thoughts from both my professional journey and personal interests.

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