How to convert dates captured from from to Mysql date format

jchapa

Hello to all,

Well I have overcome a major obstacle of inserting data into two tables simultaneously from one form. However, I am stuck on converting the dates entered by the user into MYSQL date format(y-m-d).

Any help is appreciated.

rachel2004

Part of the solution depends on what format you are accepting dates from the user: is it broken up into month, day, year? Are we dealing with only numeric values or strings (e.g. "October" instead of "10")?

Between using mktime() and date(), you should be able to format any way you need for MySQL. The PHP manual has examples of using either. You'll definitely need to reference the manual to use the date() function since it can take a myriad of parameters, but only about half a dozen or so that will matter to you in this case.

jchapa

Originally posted by rachel2004
Part of the solution depends on what format you are accepting dates from the user: is it broken up into month, day, year? Are we dealing with only numeric values or strings (e.g. "October" instead of "10")?

Between using mktime() and date(), you should be able to format any way you need for MySQL. The PHP manual has examples of using either. You'll definitely need to reference the manual to use the date() function since it can take a myriad of parameters, but only about half a dozen or so that will matter to you in this case.

I am using numeric format (10/22/2004).

TheDefender

Keep in mind, what I have here assumes the date comes in, in one string as you show, and not as 3 different strings (10, 22, and 2004) since you weren't specific about that part. Also, this will work whether you use double digits for the days and months or vice versa (1 or 01, 2 or 02, etc.) Also, I am showing you how to output into yyyy-mm-dd format or UNIX Timestamp format since you weren't specifically clear on your desired output either. Post back with more details if none of this works for you.

<?
$date = "10/22/2004";

// This formats to yyyy-mm-dd
$datesplit = explode("/", $date);
$newdate = $datesplit[2]."-".$datesplit[0]."-".$datesplit[1];
echo $newdate."<br />";

// This converts the mm/dd/yyyy formatted date to a UNIX timestamp
// Note, use of the strtotime function requires the date to be after 1/1/1970
$newtimestamp = strtotime($date);
echo $newtimestamp."<br />";
?>

jchapa

Originally posted by TheDefender
Keep in mind, what I have here assumes the date comes in, in one string as you show, and not as 3 different strings (10, 22, and 2004) since you weren't specific about that part. Also, this will work whether you use double digits for the days and months or vice versa (1 or 01, 2 or 02, etc.) Also, I am showing you how to output into yyyy-mm-dd format or UNIX Timestamp format since you weren't specifically clear on your desired output either. Post back with more details if none of this works for you.
<?
$date = "10/22/2004";

// This formats to yyyy-mm-dd
$datesplit = explode("/", $date);
$newdate = $datesplit[2]."-".$datesplit[0]."-".$datesplit[1];
echo $newdate."<br />";

// This converts the mm/dd/yyyy formatted date to a UNIX timestamp
// Note, use of the strtotime function requires the date to be after 1/1/1970
$newtimestamp = strtotime($date);
echo $newtimestamp."<br />";
?>
[/B]

Just so I understand, you provided two different methods to convert the date I capture from a user form to MySQL format. I am capturing several date fields so would I would have to write code for each date field or would a fuction work? Yet I don't know how difficult it would be since I would need to create a different variable for each date field to be converted prior to inserting it into the table. Just to answer the question, I am capturing the date field in one string not different parts. I appreciate the feedback.

Thank you.