How to Parse Dates with \'Z\' Time Zone Designator in Java using SimpleDateFormat?

Date Parsing with SimpleDateFormat and 'Z' Time Zone Designator

SimpleDateFormat is a versatile tool for parsing dates in Java. However, parsing dates with the 'Z' literal, which signifies UTC time, can pose a challenge.

Parsing Failure

When parsing a date string like "2010-04-05T17:16:00Z" using the pattern "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss", SimpleDateFormat誤解s the 'Z' literal as a time zone identifier (e.g., EDT) and applies the local time zone offset, resulting in an incorrect date.

Alternative Patterns

To explicitly specify the UTC time zone, one can use the patterns "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ssz" or "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ssZ." However, SimpleDateFormat does not natively support these patterns.

Solution for Java 7

In Java 7 and later, the pattern "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ssX" can be used to read and apply the time zone suffix. This pattern correctly parses the date as UTC time.

Conclusion

Parsing dates with SimpleDateFormat can be challenging when dealing with time zone designators. However, by understanding the limitations and using the appropriate patterns, developers can accurately parse dates in various formats, including those with the 'Z' literal representing UTC time.

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