This article will explore how to format dates in JavaScript, including using the built-in Date object, third-party libraries, and custom functions.

Understanding the JavaScript Date Object

JavaScript has a built-in object called Date, which provides a simple and easy way to work with dates and times. The Date object can retrieve information about a specific date, such as the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. It can also perform operations like adding or subtracting time to or from a date.

Here’s an example of how to create a new date object in JavaScript:

				
					const date = new Date();
console.log(date);

Output:

				
					Wed Feb 09 2022 17:57:35 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)

Formatting Dates with Built-in Methods

JavaScript provides several built-in methods to format dates, including toDateString, toTimeString, and toLocaleDateString. However, these methods have limitations and need to provide more customization options. Usually, it is better to use third-party libraries or custom functions to format dates.

Using Third-Party Libraries for Date Formatting

Several third-party libraries can format dates in JavaScript, such as Moment.js and Day.js. These libraries provide a comprehensive set of functions and methods to format, manipulate, and display dates in various formats. They also offer additional features such as time zone support, locale support, and the ability to perform complex date calculations.

Creating Custom Functions for Date Formatting

While third-party libraries offer a convenient solution for date formatting, using them may only sometimes be necessary or desired. In such cases, custom functions can be created to format dates in the desired format.

Here’s an example of a custom function that formats a date in the dd/mm/yyyy format:

				
					function formatDate(date) {
  const d = new Date(date);
  let month = '' + (d.getMonth() + 1);
  let day = '' + d.getDate();
  const year = d.getFullYear();

  if (month.length < 2) {
    month = '0' + month;
  }
  if (day.length < 2) {
    day = '0' + day;
  }

  return [day, month, year].join('/');
}

console.log(formatDate(new Date()));

Output:

				
					09/02/2022

Formatting dates in JavaScript is a crucial aspect of most web applications. The JavaScript Date object provides basic functionality for working with dates, but third-party libraries and custom functions offer more comprehensive and customizable options. Whether using a built-in method, a third-party library, or a custom function, there are several ways to format dates in JavaScript to meet the specific requirements of a project.


Thanks for reading. Happy coding!