How to Compare Dates in Python?

Comparing Dates in Python

Determining the order or equality of two dates is a common task in programming. In Python, the datetime module provides powerful tools to facilitate date comparison.

To compare two dates, utilize the comparison operators such as < (less than), > (greater than), <= (less than or equal to), >= (greater than or equal to), and == (equality). For instance, to check if the current date (accessible via datetime.now()) is later than a specific past date, employ the operator <.

For more complex comparisons involving durations or time spans, utilize the timedelta class. By subtracting one date from another, you can obtain a timedelta object representing the interval between them. This interval can then be compared using the same operators mentioned earlier.

Example:

Suppose you have a list of holiday dates stored in a file named holiday.txt. To automate the process of notifying an administrator when the current date exceeds the last holiday date, you can follow these steps:

1. Read the holiday dates from holiday.txt and convert them to datetime objects.
2. Find the maximum date among the holiday dates.
3. Compare the current date to the maximum holiday date using the < operator.
4. If the current date is later, send an email notification to the administrator.

This approach ensures that your system stays updated with the latest holiday information, preventing potential issues related to outdated holiday data.

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