Python strptime()

1. What is strptime()

strptime() converts a date/time string into a datetime object using a specified format pattern.

from datetime import datetime

date_string = "2025-11-24"
dt = datetime.strptime(date_string, "%Y-%m-%d")
print(dt)

It enables reliable parsing of user input, file data, and API responses.

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2. Parsing Basic Date Format

from datetime import datetime

date_string = "24/11/2025"
parsed = datetime.strptime(date_string, "%d/%m/%Y")
print(parsed)

Ensures correct interpretation of regional date formats.

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3. Parsing Date and Time Together

from datetime import datetime

datetime_string = "2025-11-24 18:45:30"
dt = datetime.strptime(datetime_string, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
print(dt)

Supports full timestamp reconstruction.

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4. Parsing with Month and Day Names

from datetime import datetime

date_string = "Monday, November 24 2025"
dt = datetime.strptime(date_string, "%A, %B %d %Y")
print(dt)

Handles human-readable date representations.

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5. Parsing 12-Hour Clock Format

from datetime import datetime

time_string = "07:30 PM"
dt = datetime.strptime(time_string, "%I:%M %p")
print(dt.time())

Supports AM/PM based time parsing.

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6. Using strptime() for File Data Processing

from datetime import datetime

log_entry = "2025-11-24 10:15:00 - Server Started"
timestamp = log_entry.split(" - ")[0]

dt = datetime.strptime(timestamp, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
print(dt)

Common pattern for log parsing in backend systems.

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7. Handling Incorrect Format Errors

from datetime import datetime

try:
    dt = datetime.strptime("24-11-2025", "%Y-%m-%d")
except ValueError as e:
    print("Parsing failed:", e)

Raises ValueError when format does not match.

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8. Converting User Input Safely

from datetime import datetime

user_input = "15-06-2025"

try:
    parsed_date = datetime.strptime(user_input, "%d-%m-%Y")
    print("Valid date:", parsed_date)
except ValueError:
    print("Invalid date format")

Ensures safe user input validation.

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9. Combining strptime() and strftime()

from datetime import datetime

raw = "2025/11/24"
dt = datetime.strptime(raw, "%Y/%m/%d")
formatted = dt.strftime("%d-%m-%Y")

print(formatted)  # 24-11-2025

Transforms one date format into another.

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10. Enterprise Use Case: API Timestamp Parsing

from datetime import datetime

api_timestamp = "2025-11-24T14:35:59"
dt = datetime.strptime(api_timestamp, "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S")

print("Parsed API Timestamp:", dt)

Critical for normalizing and processing structured time data.

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Common strptime() Format Codes

Code	Description	Example
%Y	Full year	2025
%y	Two-digit year	25
%m	Month (01-12)	11
%d	Day (01-31)	24
%H	Hour (24-hour)	18
%I	Hour (12-hour)	06
%M	Minute	45
%S	Second	30
%p	AM/PM	PM
%A	Full weekday	Monday
%B	Full month	November

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Summary

strptime() is essential for:

• Parsing date strings

• Validating time input

• Processing log files

• Normalizing API timestamps

• Converting human-readable dates into objects

It forms the foundation for any time-based logic, scheduling, or analytics pipeline.

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