API · Python
Python datetime.datetime.now() Method
The datetime.datetime.now() is an in-built Python function used to find the current time.
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The datetime.datetime.now() method is an efficient way of finding the current time on any platform.
Syntax of Python datetime.datetime.now() Method
datetime.datetime.now(time_zone)
datetime.datetime.now()
Parameter
time_zone |
optional | By default, this parameter is set to None. We enter the time zone in which we want the current time to be converted. |
Return
The return type of this method is an object containing the current date and time.
Example Codes: Working With the datetime.datetime.now() Method
import datetime
time = datetime.datetime.now()
print("The time in this instance is:", time)
Output:
The time in this instance is: 2022-08-26 16:55:45.793722
The above code shows the current time of the system.
Example Codes: Convert the Time Into Another Time Zone With the datetime.datetime.now() Method
import datetime
time = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc)
print("The time in this instance is:", time)
Output:
The time in this instance is: 2022-08-26 17:07:55.869159+00:00
If we specify the time zone as a parameter to this method, the compiler automatically converts the system time into the desired time zone.
Example Codes: Find the Time Zone With the datetime.datetime.now() Method
import datetime
time = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc).astimezone().tzname()
print("Current time zone: ", time)
Output:
Current time zone: Pakistan Standard Time
The time returned by this method is in the time zone the system is currently using.
Example Codes: Break Down the Attributes of the datetime.datetime.now() Method
import datetime
time = datetime.datetime.now()
print("The attributes of `datetime.datetime.now()` method are: ")
print("Year : ", end="")
print(time.year)
print("Month : ", end="")
print(time.month)
print("Day : ", end="")
print(time.day)
print("Hour : ", end="")
print(time.hour)
print("Minute : ", end="")
print(time.minute)
print("Second : ", end="")
print(time.second)
print("Microsecond : ", end="")
print(time.microsecond)
Output:
The attributes of `datetime.datetime.now()` method are:
Year : 2022
Month : 8
Day : 26
Hour : 17
Minute : 24
Second : 59
Microsecond : 184903
This method allows us to extract different attributes of date and time easily. This helps us to solve real-life applications easier, such as setting the alarm and checking if today’s date matches the set date or not.