Converting 24 Hour Format to 12 Hour Format in Python's datetime.now()

Learn how to effortlessly convert time from `24 hour format` to `12 hour format` using Python's `datetime.now()` function with various methods beyond just `strftime`.
---
This video is based on the question stackoverflow.com/q/67346883/ asked by the user 'codework' ( stackoverflow.com/u/14221444/ ) and on the answer stackoverflow.com/a/67346958/ provided by the user 'Muhammad Safwan' ( stackoverflow.com/u/7874693/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How to convert 24 hour format to 12 hour format in python datetime.now()

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Convert 24 Hour Format to 12 Hour Format in Python's datetime.now()

In the world of programming, time formats can sometimes be a source of confusion, especially when converting from one format to another. If you work with time in Python, you may find yourself needing to convert a 24 hour format to a 12 hour format when using the datetime.now() function. In this guide, we’ll explore an easy way to make this conversion and introduce some additional methods you may find useful.

Understanding the Time Formats

Before we dive into the solution, let's clarify what we mean by 24 hour format and 12 hour format:

24 Hour Format: This format represents time from 00:00 to 23:59. For example, 3 PM is represented as 15:00.

12 Hour Format: This format uses AM and PM to indicate the time of day. Therefore, 3 PM is displayed as 3:00 PM.

The Problem Statement

You want to print the current time obtained using datetime.now() in a 12 hour format. Using the strftime method is the most common approach, but you're also interested in exploring any alternative options.

Solution Using strftime Method

The simplest way to convert the current time from 24 hour format to 12 hour format in Python is by using the strftime() function. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-Step Guide

Import the datetime module:
You first need to import everything from the datetime module to work with date and time.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Get the current time:
Use the datetime.now() function to get the current time.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Convert to 12 hour format:
Use the strftime() method with the appropriate format string "%I:%M %p" to convert the time.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Print the result:
Finally, you can print the converted time.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Example Code

Here's the complete code snippet integrated into one block:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Exploring Alternatives

While strftime() is one of the easiest and most common methods for formatting times, you might be curious about alternative methods. However, there are not many built-in functions that can directly perform this conversion without using some form of formatting.

If you're keen on exploring a more manual approach, you could mathematically manipulate the hour and determine whether it's AM or PM. Here’s a simple outline of that concept:

Manual Conversion Steps

Get the hour from the datetime.now() result.

If the hour is greater than 12, subtract 12 and add "PM".

If the hour is 0, display it as 12 AM.

If the hour is 12, it stays the same but is displayed as "PM".

For hours between 1 and 11, just display the hour with "AM".

Sample Code

While not the recommended approach due to its complexity, this is how you might implement it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

In summary, converting time from 24 hour format to 12 hour format in Python can be accomplished effectively using the strftime() method. Although there are alternative ways to manipulate time data, the strftime() function provides the most straightforward and reliable means of getting your desired time format.

With these insights, you're better equipped to handle time formats in Python, ensuring your programs are user-friendly and understandable. Happy coding!