Practical PHP time function: strtotime()

PHP is one of the most commonly used dynamic scripting languages, and it is widely used in network programming. Among them, time-related operations are common and important, so it is necessary to master PHP time functions. Among time functions, the strtotime() function is a very commonly used and practical function.

1. Definition of strtotime() function

strtotime() function is PHP’s built-in string to timestamp function, which can convert the time description of any English text into UNIX Timestamp, you can also convert a date string into a UNIX timestamp.

2. Strtotime() function syntax

int strtotime ( string $time [, int $now = time() ] )

Parameter description:

time: required parameter, representing the text description of time.

now: Optional parameter, indicating the start timestamp of calculation.

Return value: Returns UNIX timestamp successfully, otherwise returns false.

3. How to use the strtotime() function

3.1 Convert the time description of English text into a UNIX timestamp

Sample code:

$timestamp = strtotime('2021-11-11 11:11:11');
echo $timestamp;

Analysis: The above code converts the "2021-11-11 11:11:11" time string into a UNIX timestamp through the strtotime() function, and outputs the result. The output result is "1636625471".

3.2 Convert date string to UNIX timestamp

Sample code:

$timestamp = strtotime('2021-11-11');
echo $timestamp;

Analysis: The above code converts the "2021-11-11" date through the strtotime() function Convert the string to a UNIX timestamp and output the result. The output result is "1636531200".

3.3 Get the UNIX timestamp of the current date

Sample code:

$timestamp = strtotime('today');
echo $timestamp;

Analysis: The above code converts the "today" parameter into the UNIX of the current date through the strtotime() function timestamp and output the result. The output is the UNIX timestamp of the current date.

3.4 Get the UNIX timestamp of tomorrow's date

Sample code:

$timestamp = strtotime('tomorrow');
echo $timestamp;

Analysis: The above code converts the "tomorrow" parameter into the UNIX of tomorrow's date through the strtotime() function timestamp and output the result. The output is the UNIX timestamp of tomorrow's date.

4. Notes on the strtotime() function

4.1 The strtotime() function has strict requirements on the format of the date string, which must be "YYYY-MM-DD", etc. Format.

4.2 The strtotime() function provides more flexible support for time strings. Strings such as "11:11:11" and "11:11" can be parsed correctly.

4.3 When the strtotime() function processes some relatively large or relatively small time values, errors or exceptions may occur.

5. Summary

As PHP’s built-in time function, the strtotime() function is widely used in actual development. It can convert the time description of any English text into UNIX time. stamp, and can convert date strings into UNIX timestamps, and can also obtain the UNIX timestamps of the current date and tomorrow's date, which is very practical. However, it should be noted that when using this function, the format of the date string needs to be strictly followed, and time values ​​with larger or smaller numbers require special processing to avoid errors or exceptions.

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