Date Functions

JavaScript Date Functions: Main Tips

• Date is an object meant for displaying and editing time and dates.
• To create a date object, you use new Date().
• There are many JavaScript date funtions that are used to manipulate the way time-related information is to be displayed.

Date Manipulation Explained

Date manipulation should not be underestimated: it is one of the most common features that websites have. To avoid misunderstandings and mistakes, you should learn about different JavaScript date functions. You will see that many methods can be used to JavaScript get date.

For instance, the regular JavaScript get date function will return a value, indicating the day of the month. Now, the getDay() function is another method to retrieve information about date: it will generate a value, representing the day of the week. It is done according to the universal time. What does that mean, you ask?

All of the functions designed to complete the JavaScript get date task will deliver results according to either local or universal time. The local time refers to the time and date you see on the lower right corner of your computer screen. Therefore, you can also retrieve JavaScript today's date. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is used as universal time.

To find more JavaScript date functions to output information about time and time, scroll down to the last section of this tutorial.

We already have two tutorials on date and time in JavaScript. We recommend that you start by learning more about how date format JavaScript is set to present as output.

We also encourage you to read how new date objects should be created. See an example below:

var date = new Date(); 
var date = new Date(milliseconds); 
var date = new Date(dateString); 
var date = new Date(year, month, day, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds);

Object Properties

When discussing JavaScript date functions, it is important to remember the date object. They can have two properties. The first one called prototype. It is applied when developers want to assign different properties and methods to the date object.

The second one is known as the constructor indicates the function that was used to create the prototype of the date object.

Variety of Date Functions

It is easy to get lost in the long list of JavaScript date functions. However, we have prepared a simple table you can refer to anytime. Each method is explained in a clear and concise manner. Therefore, it's easier for you to choose which option suits your needs best. Take a look: