com.smartgwt.client.util

## Class DateUtil

- java.lang.Object
- - com.smartgwt.client.util.DateUtil

-     public class DateUtil
      extends java.lang.Object

  Static singleton class containing APIs for interacting with Dates.

- - ### Field Summary

    Fields
    Modifier and Type | Field and Description
    --- | ---
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TO24HOURTIME` String will display with seconds in 24 hour time: `[H]H:MM:SS`.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TODATESTAMP` Date in the format <YYYYMMDD>T<HHMMSS>Z Example: `20051104T111001Z`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOEUROPEANSHORTDATE` Short date in format DD/MM/YYYY. Example: `4/11/2005`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOEUROPEANSHORTDATETIME` Short date with time in format DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM Example: `4/11/2005 11:03`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOJAPANSHORTDATE` Short date in format YYYY/MM/DD. Example: `2005/11/4`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOJAPANSHORTDATETIME` Short date with time in format YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM Example: `2005/11/4 11:03`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOLOCALESTRING` Default native browser 'toLocaleString()' implementation.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TONORMALDATE` Normal date format for the locale
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TONORMALDATETIME` Normal datetime format for the locale
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOPADDED24HOURTIME` String will display with seconds, with a 2 digit hour in 24 hour format: `HH:MM:SS`.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOPADDEDTIME` String will display with seconds, with a 2 digit hour and am/pm indicator: `HH:MM:SS am|pm`.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSERIALIZEABLEDATE` Date in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS Example: `2005-11-04 11:09:15`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSHORT24HOURTIME` String will have no seconds and be in 24 hour format: `[H]H:MM`. Example:`15:25`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSHORTPADDED24HOURTIME` String will have no seconds and will display with a 2 digit hour in 24 hour clock format: `HH:MM`. Examples: `15:25`, `03:16`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSHORTPADDEDTIME` String will have no seconds and will display a 2 digit hour, in 12 hour clock format: `HH:MM am|pm`. Example: `03:25 pm`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSHORTTIME` String will have no seconds and be in 12 hour format: `[H]H:MM am|pm`. Example: `3:25 pm`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOSTRING` Default native browser 'toString()' implementation.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOTIME` String will display with seconds and am/pm indicator: `[H]H:MM:SS am|pm`.
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOUSSHORTDATE` Short date in format MM/DD/YYYY. Example: `11/4/2005`
    `static DateDisplayFormatter` | `TOUSSHORTDATETIME` Short date with time in format MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM Example: `11/4/2005 11:03`

  - ### Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Constructor and Description
    `DateUtil()`

  - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Static Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods Deprecated Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `static java.util.Date` | `adjustDate(java.util.Date baseDate, java.lang.String relativeDateString)` Returns a new `com.smartgwt.client.util.Date` instance, representing the `baseDate` adjusted by the relative amount of the `relativeDateString`.
    `static void` | `autoDetectFormats()` Use the GWT LocaleInfo class to auto-detect the various formats for dates and times.
    `static void` | `clearDateParser()` If a custom system wide date parser has been specified via `setDateParser(DateParser)`, clear this and revert to the standard date input format specified via `setDateInputFormat(String)`.
    `static java.util.Date` | `combineLogicalDateAndTime(java.util.Date date, java.util.Date time)` Combine a logical date (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "date") with a logical time (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "time") into a datetime value (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "datetime")
    `static int` | `compareDates(java.util.Date date1, java.util.Date date2)` Compare two dates; returns 0 if equal, -1 if the first date is greater (later), or 1 if the second date is greater.
    `static int` | `compareLogicalDates(java.util.Date date1, java.util.Date date2)` Compare two dates, normalizing out the time elements so that only the date elements are considered; returns 0 if equal, -1 if the first date is greater (later), or 1 if the second date is greater.
    `static java.util.Date` | `create()` Create a new `Date` object - synonym for `new Date(arguments)`
    `static LogicalDate` | `createLogicalDate(int year, int month, int date)` Create a new Date to represent a logical date value (rather than a specific datetime value), typically for display in a +link{DataSourceField.type,date type field}.
    `static LogicalTime` | `createLogicalTime(int hour, int minute, int second, int millisecond)` Create a new Date object to represent a logical time value (rather than a specific datetime value), typically for display in a +link{DataSourceField.type,time type field}.
    `static java.lang.String` | `format(java.util.Date date)` Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.
    `static java.lang.String` | `format(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String format)` Format the parameter date using the parameter format string.
    `static java.lang.String` | `formatAsNormalDate(java.util.Date date)` Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.
    `static java.lang.String` | `formatAsShortDate(java.util.Date date)` Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.
    `static java.lang.String` | `formatAsShortDatetime(java.util.Date date)` Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getAbsoluteDate(RelativeDate relativeDate)` Converts a `RelativeDate`, `RelativeDateShortcut`, or `RelativeDateString` to a concrete Date.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getAbsoluteDate(RelativeDate relativeDate, java.util.Date baseDate)` Converts a `RelativeDate`, `RelativeDateShortcut`, or `RelativeDateString` to a concrete Date.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getAbsoluteDate(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut, java.util.Date baseDate, RelativeDateRangePosition rangePosition)`
    `static java.lang.String` | `getDayName(java.util.Date date)` Return the full day of week name for this date (Monday, Tuesday, etc).
    `static java.lang.String[]` | `getDayNames()` Return an array of the full names of each day, suitable for use in a selection list, etc.
    `static java.lang.String` | `getDefaultDateSeparator()` gets the default date separator string
    `static int` | `getDisplayDay(java.util.Date datetime)` Returns the day of month from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user.
    `static int` | `getDisplayHours(java.util.Date datetime)` Returns the hours value from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user.
    `static int` | `getDisplayMinutes(java.util.Date datetime)` Returns the minutes value from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user.
    `static int` | `getDisplayMonth(java.util.Date datetime)` Returns the month number from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user.
    `static int` | `getDisplayYear(java.util.Date datetime)` Returns the full year from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getEndOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period)` Returns the end of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getEndOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period, java.lang.Boolean logicalDate)`
    `static java.util.Date` | `getEndOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period, java.lang.Boolean logicalDate, java.lang.Integer firstDayOfWeek)` Returns the end of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
    `static int` | `getFirstDayOfWeek()` Returns the global attribute that dictates which day should be treated as the first day of the week in calendars and date calculations.
    `static FiscalCalendar` | `getFiscalCalendar()` Returns the global `FiscalCalendar object` representing the start month and date of the fiscal year in the current locale.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getFiscalStartDate(java.util.Date date)` Returns the start date of the fiscal year for the passed date.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getFiscalStartDate(java.util.Date date, FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)` Returns the start date of the fiscal year for the passed date.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getFiscalStartDate(java.lang.Integer year, FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)` Get the start date of the fiscal period for the passed year.
    `static int` | `getFiscalWeek(java.util.Date date)` Returns a date's week-number, according to the fiscal calendar
    `static int` | `getFiscalWeek(java.util.Date date, FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)` Returns a date's week-number, according to the fiscal calendar
    `static FiscalYear` | `getFiscalYear(java.util.Date date)` Returns the `FiscalYear` object for the fiscal year in which the passed date exists.
    `static FiscalYear` | `getFiscalYear(java.util.Date date, FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)` Returns the `FiscalYear` object for the fiscal year in which the passed date exists.
    `static java.lang.String` | `getInputFormat()` Retrieves the default format for strings being parsed into dates via `DateUtil.parseInput()`
    `static LogicalDate` | `getLogicalDateOnly(java.util.Date date)` Get a logical date - a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "date" - from a datetime value (a value from a DataSourceField of type "datetime").
    `static LogicalTime` | `getLogicalTimeOnly(java.util.Date date)` Get a logical time - a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "time" - from a datetime value (a value from a DataSourceField of type "datetime").
    `java.lang.String` | `getMonthName(java.util.Date date)` Return the full name of the month for this date (January, February, etc) To modify the value returned by this method, use `com.smartgwt.client.util.DateUtil#setMonthNames()`.
    `java.lang.String` | `getShortDayName(java.util.Date date)` Return the abbreviated (up to 3 chars) day of week name for this date (Mon, Tue, etc).
    `static java.lang.String[]` | `getShortDayNames(int length)` Return an array of the short names of each day, suitable for use in a selection list, etc.
    `java.lang.String` | `getShortMonthName(java.util.Date date)` Return the abbreviated name of the month for this date (Jan, Feb, etc) To modify the value returned by this method, use `com.smartgwt.client.util.DateUtil#setShortMonthNames()`.
    `java.lang.String` | `getShortYear(java.util.Date date)` Return a 2 digit year for this date.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getStartOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period)` Returns the start of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
    `static java.util.Date` | `getStartOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period, java.lang.Boolean logicalDate)`
    `static java.util.Date` | `getStartOf(java.util.Date date, java.lang.String period, java.lang.Boolean logicalDate, java.lang.Integer firstDayOfWeek)` Returns the start of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
    `static java.lang.Integer[]` | `getWeekendDays()` Return an array of days that are considered "weekend" days.
    `static java.lang.String` | `mapRelativeDateShortcut(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut)`
    `static java.lang.String` | `mapRelativeDateShortcut(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut, RelativeDateRangePosition position)` Converts a RelativeDate shortcut string such as `"$today"` to a RelativeDateString such as `"+0D"`
    `static java.util.Date` | `parseInput(java.lang.String dateString)` Parse a date passed in as a string, returning the appropriate date object.
    `static java.util.Date` | `parseInput(java.lang.String dateString, java.lang.String format)`
    `static java.util.Date` | `parseInput(java.lang.String dateString, java.lang.String format, java.lang.Integer centuryThreshold)`
    `static java.util.Date` | `parseInput(java.lang.String dateString, java.lang.String format, java.lang.Integer centuryThreshold, java.lang.Boolean suppressConversion)` Parse a date passed in as a string, returning the appropriate date object.
    `static void` | `setAdjustForDST(boolean adjustForDST)` Determines whether, when formatting values of type datetime and time, the effect of Daylight Saving Time should be considered when computing offsets from UTC.
    `static void` | `setDateInputFormat(java.lang.String inputFormat)` Sets up the default system-wide input format for strings being parsed into dates via SmartGWT utilities and components (see `parseInput(String)`).
    `static void` | `setDateInputFormatter(DateInputFormatter formatter)` Deprecated. in favor of setDateParser()
    `static void` | `setDateParser(DateParser parser)` Sets up a custom parsing function to use by default when converting dates or datetimes from formatted string values to Dates.
    `static void` | `setDayNames(java.lang.String[] dayNames)` Set the array of names of days.
    `static void` | `setDefaultDateSeparator(java.lang.String separator)` Sets a new default separator that will be used when formatting dates.
    `static void` | `setDefaultDisplayTimezone(java.lang.String offset)` Globally sets the offset from UTC to use when formatting values of type datetime and time with standard display formatters.
    `static void` | `setFirstDayOfWeek(int firstDayOfWeek)` Sets the global attribute that dictates which day should be treated as the first day of the week in calendars and date calculations.
    `static void` | `setFiscalCalendar(FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)` Sets the global fiscal calendar, which is used for all calls to getFiscalYear() / getFiscalWeek() if those methods aren't passed a fiscalCalander.
    `static void` | `setInputFormat(java.lang.String format)` Sets up the default system-wide input format for strings being parsed into dates via `DateUtil.parseInput()`.
    `static void` | `setMonthNames(java.lang.String[] monthNames)` Set the array of names of months.
    `static void` | `setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set the default formatter for date objects to the custom DateDisplayFormatter passed in.
    `static void` | `setNormalDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set the default datetime format for date objects to the DateDisplayFormat passed in.
    `static void` | `setNormalTimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set up a system wide default normal time formatting function.
    `static void` | `setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set up a system wide default short date formatting function.
    `static void` | `setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set up a system wide default short datetime formatting function.
    `static void` | `setShortDayNames(java.lang.String[] shortDayNames)` Set the array of shortened names of days.
    `static void` | `setShortDisplayFormat(java.lang.String format)` Set the default short format for dates.
    `static void` | `setShortMonthNames(java.lang.String[] shortMonthNames)` Set the array of names of months.
    `static void` | `setShortTimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)` Set up a system wide default short time formatting function.
    `static void` | `setShowChooserFiscalYearPickers(boolean showChooserFiscalYearPickers)` Sets the global attribute that dictates whether the `choosers` shelled from `DateItems` show a UI for working with Fiscal Years.
    `static void` | `setShowChooserWeekPickers(boolean showChooserWeekPickers)` Sets the global attribute that dictates whether the `choosers` shelled from `DateItems` show a UI for working with Weeks.
    `static void` | `setWeekendDays(java.lang.Integer[] weekendDays)` Sets the days that are considered `weekend days`.
    `java.lang.String` | `toDateStamp(java.util.Date date)` Return this date in the format (UTC timezone): `YYYYMMDDTHHMMSS[Z]`
    `static void` | `today()` Return a `logicalDate` representing the current day in the String.

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Field Detail

    - #### TOSTRING

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSTRING

      Default native browser 'toString()' implementation. May vary by browser.
      Example: `Fri Nov 04 2005 11:03:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time)`

    - #### TOLOCALESTRING

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOLOCALESTRING

      Default native browser 'toLocaleString()' implementation. May vary by browser. Example: `Friday, November 04, 2005 11:03:00 AM`

    - #### TONORMALDATE

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TONORMALDATE

      Normal date format for the locale

    - #### TONORMALDATETIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TONORMALDATETIME

      Normal datetime format for the locale

    - #### TOUSSHORTDATE

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOUSSHORTDATE

      Short date in format MM/DD/YYYY.
      Example: `11/4/2005`

    - #### TOUSSHORTDATETIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOUSSHORTDATETIME

      Short date with time in format MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM
      Example: `11/4/2005 11:03`

    - #### TOEUROPEANSHORTDATE

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOEUROPEANSHORTDATE

      Short date in format DD/MM/YYYY.
      Example: `4/11/2005`

    - #### TOEUROPEANSHORTDATETIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOEUROPEANSHORTDATETIME

      Short date with time in format DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM
      Example: `4/11/2005 11:03`

    - #### TOJAPANSHORTDATE

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOJAPANSHORTDATE

      Short date in format YYYY/MM/DD.
      Example: `2005/11/4`

    - #### TOJAPANSHORTDATETIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOJAPANSHORTDATETIME

      Short date with time in format YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM
      Example: `2005/11/4 11:03`

    - #### TOSERIALIZEABLEDATE

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSERIALIZEABLEDATE

      Date in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
      Example: `2005-11-04 11:09:15`

    - #### TODATESTAMP

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TODATESTAMP

      Date in the format <YYYYMMDD>T<HHMMSS>Z Example: `20051104T111001Z`

    - #### TOTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOTIME

      String will display with seconds and am/pm indicator: `[H]H:MM:SS am|pm`.
      Example: `3:25:15 pm`

    - #### TO24HOURTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TO24HOURTIME

      String will display with seconds in 24 hour time: `[H]H:MM:SS`.
      Example: `15:25:15`

    - #### TOPADDEDTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOPADDEDTIME

      String will display with seconds, with a 2 digit hour and am/pm indicator: `HH:MM:SS am|pm`.
      Example: `03:25:15 pm`

    - #### TOPADDED24HOURTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOPADDED24HOURTIME

      String will display with seconds, with a 2 digit hour in 24 hour format: `HH:MM:SS`.
      Examples: `15:25:15`, `03:16:45`

    - #### TOSHORTTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSHORTTIME

      String will have no seconds and be in 12 hour format: `[H]H:MM am|pm`.
      Example: `3:25 pm`

    - #### TOSHORT24HOURTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSHORT24HOURTIME

      String will have no seconds and be in 24 hour format: `[H]H:MM`.
      Example:`15:25`

    - #### TOSHORTPADDEDTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSHORTPADDEDTIME

      String will have no seconds and will display a 2 digit hour, in 12 hour clock format: `HH:MM am|pm`.
      Example: `03:25 pm`

    - #### TOSHORTPADDED24HOURTIME

          public static final DateDisplayFormatter TOSHORTPADDED24HOURTIME

      String will have no seconds and will display with a 2 digit hour in 24 hour clock format: `HH:MM`.
      Examples: `15:25`, `03:16`

  - ### Constructor Detail

    - #### DateUtil

          public DateUtil()

  - ### Method Detail

    - #### adjustDate

          public static java.util.Date adjustDate(java.util.Date baseDate,
                                                  java.lang.String relativeDateString)

      Returns a new `com.smartgwt.client.util.Date` instance, representing the `baseDate` adjusted by the relative amount of the `relativeDateString`.
      Parameters:
        `baseDate` - Date instance to apply a relative amount to - defaults to new Date()
        `relativeDateString` - the relative amount to apply to the `baseDate`. See `RelativeDateString`
      Returns:
        a new Date instance representing the `baseDate` adjusted by the `relativeDateString`

    - #### combineLogicalDateAndTime

          public static java.util.Date combineLogicalDateAndTime(java.util.Date date,
                                                                 java.util.Date time)

      Combine a logical date (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "date") with a logical time (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "time") into a datetime value (a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "datetime")

      This method correctly takes into account the current String, specifically, the returned datetime value will show the same date and time as the passed date and time objects when rendered by a Smart GWT component that has been configured with a field of type "datetime".

      For further background on date, time and datetime types, storage and transmission, see `this overview`.

      Parameters:
        `date` - a Date instance representing logical date value
        `time` - a Date instance representing logical time value
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing a datetime value combining the logical date and time passed

    - #### compareDates

          public static int compareDates(java.util.Date date1,
                                         java.util.Date date2)

      Compare two dates; returns 0 if equal, -1 if the first date is greater (later), or 1 if the second date is greater. If either value is not a Date object, it is treated as the epoch (midnight on Jan 1 1970) for comparison purposes.
      Parameters:
        `date1` - first date to compare
        `date2` - second date to compare
      Returns:
        0 if equal, -1 if first date > second date, 1 if second date > first date

    - #### compareLogicalDates

          public static int compareLogicalDates(java.util.Date date1,
                                                java.util.Date date2)

      Compare two dates, normalizing out the time elements so that only the date elements are considered; returns 0 if equal, -1 if the first date is greater (later), or 1 if the second date is greater.
      Parameters:
        `date1` - first date to compare
        `date2` - second date to compare
      Returns:
        0 if equal, -1 if first date > second date, 1 if second date > first date. Returns false if either argument is not a date

    - #### create

          public static java.util.Date create()

      Create a new `Date` object - synonym for `new Date(arguments)`
      Returns:
        Date object

    - #### getAbsoluteDate

          public static java.util.Date getAbsoluteDate(RelativeDate relativeDate)

      Converts a `RelativeDate`, `RelativeDateShortcut`, or `RelativeDateString` to a concrete Date.
      Parameters:
        `relativeDate` - the relative date to convert
      Returns:
        resulting absolute date value

    - #### getAbsoluteDate

          public static java.util.Date getAbsoluteDate(RelativeDate relativeDate,
                                                       java.util.Date baseDate)

      Converts a `RelativeDate`, `RelativeDateShortcut`, or `RelativeDateString` to a concrete Date.
      Parameters:
        `relativeDate` - the relative date to convert
        `baseDate` - base value for conversion. Defaults to the current date/time.
      Returns:
        resulting absolute date value

    - #### getDayNames

          public static java.lang.String[] getDayNames()

      Return an array of the full names of each day, suitable for use in a selection list, etc. Day names are picked up from `dayNames`, which defaults to an array of English-language strings and these are updated to localized values by loading a locale.

      If `DateUtil.dayNames` is purposely cleared, this method will fall back to deriving day-names from the native browser date string. Note, if we have to use this native backup behavior, the day names may vary by browser as well as locale - for example, they may be in an abbreviated form, similar to the result of calling `getShortDayNames()`.

      Returns:
        array of day names

    - #### getDefaultDateSeparator

          public static java.lang.String getDefaultDateSeparator()

      gets the default date separator string
      Returns:
        the default date separator

    - #### getDisplayDay

          public static int getDisplayDay(java.util.Date datetime)

      Returns the day of month from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user. This might not be the same value as that returned by getDate() if a String has been applied. Only necessary for datetimes - for logical dates and times, this method returns the same value as getDate().
      Parameters:
        `datetime` - datetime instance to work with
      Returns:
        the day of month from the passed datetime

    - #### getDisplayHours

          public static int getDisplayHours(java.util.Date datetime)

      Returns the hours value from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user. This might not be the same value as that returned by getHours() if a String has been applied. Only necessary for datetimes - for logical dates and times, this method returns the same value as getHours().
      Parameters:
        `datetime` - datetime instance to work with
      Returns:
        the hours value from the passed datetime

    - #### getDisplayMinutes

          public static int getDisplayMinutes(java.util.Date datetime)

      Returns the minutes value from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user. This might not be the same value as that returned by getMinutes() if a String has been applied. Only necessary for datetimes - for logical dates and times, this method returns the same value as getMinutes().
      Parameters:
        `datetime` - datetime instance to work with
      Returns:
        the minutes value from the passed datetime

    - #### getDisplayMonth

          public static int getDisplayMonth(java.util.Date datetime)

      Returns the month number from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user. This might not be the same value as that returned by getMonth() if a String has been applied. Only necessary for datetimes - for logical dates and times, this method returns the same value as getMonth().
      Parameters:
        `datetime` - datetime instance to work with
      Returns:
        the month number from the passed datetime

    - #### getDisplayYear

          public static int getDisplayYear(java.util.Date datetime)

      Returns the full year from the passed datetime, as it will be displayed to the user. This might not be the same value as that returned by getFullYear() if a String has been applied. Only necessary for datetimes - for logical dates and times, this method returns the same value as getFullYear().
      Parameters:
        `datetime` - datetime instance to work with
      Returns:
        the 4-digit display year from the passed datetime

    - #### getEndOf

          public static java.util.Date getEndOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                java.lang.String period)

      Returns the end of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the base date to find the period end from
        `period` - the period to return the end of, one of mn/h/d/w/m/y
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing the end of the period relative to the passed date

    - #### getEndOf

          public static java.util.Date getEndOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                java.lang.String period,
                                                java.lang.Boolean logicalDate)

      See Also:
        `getEndOf(java.util.Date, java.lang.String)`

    - #### getEndOf

          public static java.util.Date getEndOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                java.lang.String period,
                                                java.lang.Boolean logicalDate,
                                                java.lang.Integer firstDayOfWeek)

      Returns the end of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the base date to find the period end from
        `period` - the period to return the end of, one of mn/h/d/w/m/y
        `logicalDate` - process and return a logicalDate with no time element
        `firstDayOfWeek` - which day should be considered the firstDayOfWeek - overrides the default provided by the locale
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing the end of the period relative to the passed date

    - #### getFirstDayOfWeek

          public static int getFirstDayOfWeek()

      Returns the global attribute that dictates which day should be treated as the first day of the week in calendars and date calculations. The parameter is expected to be an integer value between 0 (Sunday) and 6 (Saturday).

      The default value is picked up from the current locale.

      Returns:
        the number of the day being used as the first day of the week

    - #### getFiscalCalendar

          public static FiscalCalendar getFiscalCalendar()

      Returns the global `FiscalCalendar object` representing the start month and date of the fiscal year in the current locale.
      Returns:
        the FiscalCalendar object

    - #### getFiscalStartDate

          public static java.util.Date getFiscalStartDate(java.util.Date date)

      Returns the start date of the fiscal year for the passed date.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date, or the year-number, to get the fiscal year for
      Returns:
        the start of the fiscal year for the passed date and fiscalCalendar

    - #### getFiscalStartDate

          public static java.util.Date getFiscalStartDate(java.util.Date date,
                                                          FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)

      Returns the start date of the fiscal year for the passed date.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date, or the year-number, to get the fiscal year for
        `fiscalCalendar` - the object representing the starts of one or more fiscal years
      Returns:
        the start of the fiscal year for the passed date and fiscalCalendar

    - #### getFiscalWeek

          public static int getFiscalWeek(java.util.Date date)

      Returns a date's week-number, according to the fiscal calendar
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date to get the fiscal year for
      Returns:
        the fiscal week for the passed date

    - #### getFiscalWeek

          public static int getFiscalWeek(java.util.Date date,
                                          FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)

      Returns a date's week-number, according to the fiscal calendar
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date to get the fiscal year for
        `fiscalCalendar` - the object representing the starts of fiscal years
      Returns:
        the fiscal week for the passed date

    - #### getFiscalYear

          public static FiscalYear getFiscalYear(java.util.Date date)

      Returns the `FiscalYear` object for the fiscal year in which the passed date exists.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date to get the fiscal year for
      Returns:
        the `FiscalYear` object for the passed date

    - #### getFiscalYear

          public static FiscalYear getFiscalYear(java.util.Date date,
                                                 FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)

      Returns the `FiscalYear` object for the fiscal year in which the passed date exists.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the date to get the fiscal year for
        `fiscalCalendar` - the object representing the start of the fiscal period
      Returns:
        the `FiscalYear` object for the passed date

    - #### getInputFormat

          public static java.lang.String getInputFormat()

      Retrieves the default format for strings being parsed into dates via `DateUtil.parseInput()`
      Returns:
        the current inputFormat for dates
      See Also:
        `setInputFormat(java.lang.String)`

    - #### getShortDayNames

          public static java.lang.String[] getShortDayNames(int length)

      Return an array of the short names of each day, suitable for use in a selection list, etc. Day names are picked up from a `shortDayNames` list specified in each locale.
      Parameters:
        `length` - maximum length of each day string - default is no maximum (full strings)
      Returns:
        array of short day names

    - #### getStartOf

          public static java.util.Date getStartOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                  java.lang.String period)

      Returns the start of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the base date to find the period start from
        `period` - the period to return the start of, one of mn/h/d/w/m/y
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing the start of the period relative to the passed date

    - #### getStartOf

          public static java.util.Date getStartOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                  java.lang.String period,
                                                  java.lang.Boolean logicalDate)

      See Also:
        `getStartOf(java.util.Date, java.lang.String)`

    - #### getStartOf

          public static java.util.Date getStartOf(java.util.Date date,
                                                  java.lang.String period,
                                                  java.lang.Boolean logicalDate,
                                                  java.lang.Integer firstDayOfWeek)

      Returns the start of some period, like day, week or month, relative to a passed Date instance.
      Parameters:
        `date` - the base date to find the period start from
        `period` - the period to return the start of, one of mn/h/d/w/m/y
        `logicalDate` - process and return a logicalDate with no time element
        `firstDayOfWeek` - which day should be considered the firstDayOfWeek - overrides the default provided by the locale
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing the start of the period relative to the passed date

    - #### getWeekendDays

          public static java.lang.Integer[] getWeekendDays()

      Return an array of days that are considered "weekend" days. Values will be the integers returned by the JavaScript built-in Date.getDay(), eg, 0 is Sunday and 6 is Saturday. Override `weekendDays` to accommodate different workweeks such as Saudi Arabia (Saturday -> Wednesday) or Israel (Sunday -> Thursday).
      Returns:
        array of weekend days

    - #### parseInput

          public static java.util.Date parseInput(java.lang.String dateString)

      Parse a date passed in as a string, returning the appropriate date object.
      Parameters:
        `dateString` - date value as a string
      Returns:
        date value, or null if the string could not be parsed to a valid date.

    - #### parseInput

          public static java.util.Date parseInput(java.lang.String dateString,
                                                  java.lang.String format)

      See Also:
        `parseInput(java.lang.String)`

    - #### parseInput

          public static java.util.Date parseInput(java.lang.String dateString,
                                                  java.lang.String format,
                                                  java.lang.Integer centuryThreshold)

      See Also:
        `parseInput(java.lang.String)`

    - #### parseInput

          public static java.util.Date parseInput(java.lang.String dateString,
                                                  java.lang.String format,
                                                  java.lang.Integer centuryThreshold,
                                                  java.lang.Boolean suppressConversion)

      Parse a date passed in as a string, returning the appropriate date object.
      Parameters:
        `dateString` - date value as a string
        `format` - Format of the date string being passed. If not passed, the default date input format as set up via setInputFormat() will be used. See `DateInputFormat`
        `centuryThreshold` - For date formats that support a 2 digit year, if parsed year is 2 digits and less than this number, assume year to be 20xx rather than 19xx
        `suppressConversion` - If the string passed in was not a valid date, in some cases we can convert to a valid date (for example incrementing the year if the month is greater than 12). This optional parameter will suppress such conversions - anything that doesn't parse directly to a valid date will simply return null.
      Returns:
        date value, or null if the string could not be parsed to a valid date.

    - #### setDefaultDateSeparator

          public static void setDefaultDateSeparator(java.lang.String separator)

      Sets a new default separator that will be used when formatting dates. By default, this is a forward slash character: "/"
      Parameters:
        `separator` - separator to use in dates

    - #### setFirstDayOfWeek

          public static void setFirstDayOfWeek(int firstDayOfWeek)

      Sets the global attribute that dictates which day should be treated as the first day of the week in calendars and date calculations. The parameter is expected to be an integer value between 0 (Sunday) and 6 (Saturday).

      The default value is picked up from the current locale.

      Parameters:
        `firstDayOfWeek` - the number of the day to use as the first day of the week

    - #### setFiscalCalendar

          public static void setFiscalCalendar(FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)

      Sets the global fiscal calendar, which is used for all calls to getFiscalYear() / getFiscalWeek() if those methods aren't passed a fiscalCalander.
      Parameters:
        `fiscalCalendar` - the object representing the start month and date of the fiscal year in the current locale

    - #### setInputFormat

          public static void setInputFormat(java.lang.String format)

      Sets up the default system-wide input format for strings being parsed into dates via `DateUtil.parseInput()`. This will effect how Smart GWT components showing editable date or datetime fields parse user-entered values into live Date objects.

      The input format can be specified as a `DateInputFormat` - a 3 character string like `"MDY"` indicating the order of the Month, Day and Year components of date strings.

      As an example - an input format of "MDY" would parse "01/02/1999" to Jan 2nd 1999
      This standard parsing logic will also handle date-time strings such as "01/02/1999 08:45", or "01/02/1999 16:21:05".

      Notes:

      - If the inputFormat is not explicitly set,the system automatically determines the standard input format will be based on the specified `DateUtil.shortDisplayFormat` wherever possible. For example if the short display format has been set to "toEuropeanShortDate" the input format will default to "DMY".
      - The default date parsing functionality built into Smart GWT will handle dates presented with any separator string, and can handle 1 or 2 digit day and month values and 2 or 4 digit year values. This means that in many cases custom date display formats can be parsed back to Date values without the need for a custom parser function. However if more sophisticated parsing logic is required, a function may be passed into this method. In this case the parser function should be able to handle parsing date and datetime values formatted via `formatAsShortDate()` and `formatAsShorDatetime()`.
      - Date parsing and formatting logic may be overridden at the component level by setting properties directly on the component or field in question.
      Parameters:
        `format` - Default format for strings to be parsed into Dates. See `DateInputFormat`
      See Also:
        `parseInput(java.lang.String)`

    - #### setShortDisplayFormat

          public static void setShortDisplayFormat(java.lang.String format)

      Set the default short format for dates. After calling this method, subsequent calls to `formatAsShortDate` will return a string formatted according to this format specification. Note that this will be the standard short date format used by Smart GWT components.

      The `format` parameter may be a `FormatString`, a `DateDisplayFormat` string, or a function. If passed a function, this function will be executed in the scope of the Date and should return the formatted string.

      Initial default shortDateFormat is `"toUSShortDate"`. This property is commonly modified for localization of applications. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_format_by_country for a useful overview of standard date formats per country.

      Parameters:
        `format` - new formatter. See `FormatString`

    - #### setShowChooserFiscalYearPickers

          public static void setShowChooserFiscalYearPickers(boolean showChooserFiscalYearPickers)

      Sets the global attribute that dictates whether the `choosers` shelled from `DateItems` show a UI for working with Fiscal Years.
      Parameters:
        `showChooserFiscalYearPickers` - whether to show Fiscal Year pickers in DateChoosers by default

    - #### setShowChooserWeekPickers

          public static void setShowChooserWeekPickers(boolean showChooserWeekPickers)

      Sets the global attribute that dictates whether the `choosers` shelled from `DateItems` show a UI for working with Weeks.
      Parameters:
        `showChooserWeekPickers` - whether to show Fiscal Week pickers in DateChoosers by default

    - #### setWeekendDays

          public static void setWeekendDays(java.lang.Integer[] weekendDays)

      Sets the days that are considered `weekend days`. The parameter should be array of the integers returned by the JavaScript built-in Date.getDay(), eg, 0 is Sunday and 6 is Saturday. Override to accommodate different workweeks such as Saudi Arabia (Saturday -> Wednesday) or Israel (Sunday -> Thursday).
      Parameters:
        `weekendDays` - the array of day-numbers to assign as weekend days

    - #### today

          public static void today()

      Return a `logicalDate` representing the current day in the String.

    - #### getDayName

          public static java.lang.String getDayName(java.util.Date date)

      Return the full day of week name for this date (Monday, Tuesday, etc). To modify the value returned by this method, use `setDayNames(java.lang.String[])`.
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        Day name

    - #### getShortDayName

          public java.lang.String getShortDayName(java.util.Date date)

      Return the abbreviated (up to 3 chars) day of week name for this date (Mon, Tue, etc). To modify the value returned by this method, use `setShortDayNames(java.lang.String[])`.
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        Abbreviated day name

    - #### getMonthName

          public java.lang.String getMonthName(java.util.Date date)

      Return the full name of the month for this date (January, February, etc) To modify the value returned by this method, use `com.smartgwt.client.util.DateUtil#setMonthNames()`.
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        Month name

    - #### getShortMonthName

          public java.lang.String getShortMonthName(java.util.Date date)

      Return the abbreviated name of the month for this date (Jan, Feb, etc) To modify the value returned by this method, use `com.smartgwt.client.util.DateUtil#setShortMonthNames()`.
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        Abbreviated month name (3 character string)

    - #### getShortYear

          public java.lang.String getShortYear(java.util.Date date)

      Return a 2 digit year for this date.
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        year number, padded to 2 characters

    - #### toDateStamp

          public java.lang.String toDateStamp(java.util.Date date)

      Return this date in the format (UTC timezone): `YYYYMMDDTHHMMSS[Z]`
      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        formatted date string

    - #### setDefaultDisplayTimezone

          public static void setDefaultDisplayTimezone(java.lang.String offset)

      Globally sets the offset from UTC to use when formatting values of type datetime and time with standard display formatters. This property effects how dates are displayed and also the assumed timezone for user-input.

      If this method is never called, the default display timezone for times and datetimes will be derived from the native browser local timezone.

      Note that by default daylight savings time adjustments (based on browser locale) may also be applied when formatting datetimes. `setAdjustForDST(boolean)` may be used to disable this adjustment.

      Parameters:
        `offset` - offset from UTC. This should be a string in the format `+/-HH:MM` for example `"-08:00"`

    - #### setAdjustForDST

          public static void setAdjustForDST(boolean adjustForDST)

      Determines whether, when formatting values of type datetime and time, the effect of Daylight Saving Time should be considered when computing offsets from UTC. By default, this flag is set during framework initialization if SmartGWT detects that it is running in a locale that is observing DST this year. If you do not want DST adjustments to be applied, set this flag to false.

      Note that setting this flag to true will have no effect unless you are in a locale that is observing Daylight Saving Time this year; this is because we rely on the browser for offset information, and browsers are only capable of returning local date and time information for the computer's current locale.

      Parameters:
        `whether` - time and datetimes should account for daylight savings time in this application

    - #### setNormalDatetimeDisplayFormatter

          public static void setNormalDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set the default datetime format for date objects to the DateDisplayFormat passed in. After calling this method, subsequent calls to Date.toNormalDate will return a string formatted according to this format specification.
      Note: this will be the standard long datetime format used by SmartGWT components. Initial default normalDatetimeDisplayFormat is "toLocaleString"
      Parameters:
        `format` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### setNormalDateDisplayFormatter

          public static void setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set the default formatter for date objects to the custom DateDisplayFormatter passed in. After calling this method, subsequent calls to Date.toNormalDate will return a string formatted according to this formatter specification.

      When writing custom date formatting and parsing logic, developers may find the `DateTimeFormat` class helpful. SmartGWT includes several built-in DateDisplayFormatters for common formats - see `DateDisplayFormatter` for details. Sample code :

           DateUtil.setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(new DateDisplayFormatter() {
               public String format(Date date) {
                   if(date == null) return null;
                   final DateTimeFormat dateFormatter = DateTimeFormat.getFormat("yyyy.MM.dd HH:mm:ss");
                   String format = dateFormatter.format(date);
                   return format;
               }
           });

      As of version 4.1, SmartGWT has built-in string-based formatting of date and time values via the `DateFormatStringFormatter` class. The main advantage of using the built-in formatting feature is that it is harmonized with the formatting we export to Excel and other targets, leading to an exported document that more closely resembles the original application. See `com.smartgwt.client.data.DataSOurceField#format` for details. Sample code :

           DateUtil.setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(new DateFormatStringFormatter("yyyy.MM.dd HH:mm:ss"));

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### setShortDateDisplayFormatter

          public static void setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set up a system wide default short date formatting function. The formatter passed in will be used by default by SmartGwt components when formatting date values to short date format (and by `formatAsShortDate(Date)`).

      If a custom short date formatter is applied, bear in mind that it will be applied by default when editing date values, so the system will need to be able to parse an edited date string in this format back to a live date object. Developers calling this method will therefore also commonly want to apply custom parsing logic via `setDateInputFormat(String)` or `setDateParser(DateParser)`.

      When writing custom date formatting and parsing logic, developers may find the `DateTimeFormat` class helpful. SmartGWT includes several built-in DateDisplayFormatters for common formats - see `DateDisplayFormatter` for details. Sample code :

           DateUtil.setShortDateDisplayFormatter(new DateDisplayFormatter() {
               public String format(Date date) {
                   if(date == null) return null;
                   final DateTimeFormat dateFormatter = DateTimeFormat.getFormat("MMM d, yyyy");
                   String format = dateFormatter.format(date);
                   return format;
               }
           });

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter

          public static void setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set up a system wide default short datetime formatting function. The formatter passed in will be used by default by SmartGwt components when formatting date values to short datetime format (and by `formatAsShortDatetime(Date)`).

      If a custom short datetime formatter is applied, bear in mind that it will be applied by default when editing date values, so the system will need to be able to parse an edited date string in this format back to a live date object. Developers calling this method will therefore also commonly want to apply custom parsing logic via `setDateInputFormat(String)` or `setDateParser(DateParser)`.

      When writing custom date formatting and parsing logic, developers may find the `DateTimeFormat` class helpful. SmartGWT includes several built-in DateDisplayFormatters for common formats - see `DateDisplayFormatter` for details.

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### createLogicalDate

          public static LogicalDate createLogicalDate(int year,
                                                      int month,
                                                      int date)

      Create a new Date to represent a logical date value (rather than a specific datetime value), typically for display in a +link{DataSourceField.type,date type field}. The generated Date value will have year, month and date set to the specified values (in browser native local time).

      See the `docs` for a discussion of the difference between datetime field values and logical date field values, logical time field values.

      Parameters:
        `year` -
        `month` -
        `date` -
      Returns:
        LogicalDate representing a logical date.

    - #### createLogicalTime

          public static LogicalTime createLogicalTime(int hour,
                                                      int minute,
                                                      int second,
                                                      int millisecond)

      Create a new Date object to represent a logical time value (rather than a specific datetime value), typically for display in a +link{DataSourceField.type,time type field}. The generated Date value will have year, month and date set to the epoch date (Jan 1 1970), and time elements set to the supplied hour, minute and second (in browser native local time).

      See the `docs` for a discussion of the difference between datetime field values and logical date field values, logical time field values.

      Parameters:
        `hour` - (0-23)
        `minute` - (0-59)
        `second` - (0-59)
        `millisecond` - (0-999)
      Returns:
        new LogicalTime representing the time in question

    - #### getLogicalDateOnly

          public static LogicalDate getLogicalDateOnly(java.util.Date date)

      Get a logical date - a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "date" - from a datetime value (a value from a DataSourceField of type "datetime").

      This method correctly takes into account the current String, specifically, the returned Date will reflect the day, month and year that appears when the datetime is rendered by a Smart GWT component rather than the date values that would be returned by Date.getDay() et al (which can differ, since getDay() uses the browser's local timezone).

      For further background on date, time and datetime types, storage and transmission, see `this overview`.

      Parameters:
        `date` - a Date instance representing a datetime value
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing just the date portion of the datetime value, as a logical date

    - #### getLogicalTimeOnly

          public static LogicalTime getLogicalTimeOnly(java.util.Date date)

      Get a logical time - a value appropriate for a DataSourceField of type "time" - from a datetime value (a value from a DataSourceField of type "datetime").

      This method correctly takes into account the current String, specifically, the returned Date will reflect the hour, minute and second that appears when the datetime is rendered by a Smart GWT component rather than the time values that would be returned by Date.getHours() et al (which can differ, since getHours() uses the browser's local timezone).

      For further background on date, time and datetime types, storage and transmission, see `this overview`.

      Parameters:
        `date` - a Date instance representing a datetime value
      Returns:
        a Date instance representing just the time portion of the datetime value, as a logical time

    - #### formatAsShortDate

          public static java.lang.String formatAsShortDate(java.util.Date date)

      Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.

      This calls the standard date formatting function used by SmartGWT components to display short-formatted dates.

      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:

    - #### formatAsShortDatetime

          public static java.lang.String formatAsShortDatetime(java.util.Date date)

      Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.

      This calls the standard date formatting function used by SmartGWT components to display short-formatted date-times.

      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:

    - #### format

          public static java.lang.String format(java.util.Date date)

      Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.

      This calls the standard date formatting function used by SmartGWT components to display short-formatted dates.

      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:

    - #### formatAsNormalDate

          public static java.lang.String formatAsNormalDate(java.util.Date date)

      Format a date as a string according to the format specified by `setNormalDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)`.

      This calls the standard date formatting function used by SmartGWT components to display normal-formatted dates.

      Parameters:
        `date` -
      Returns:
        Returns a String containing the formatted date

    - #### setDateInputFormatter

          public static void setDateInputFormatter(DateInputFormatter formatter)

      Deprecated. in favor of setDateParser()
      Sets up the default format for strings being parsed into dates via DateUtil.parseInput
      Sample code :

           DateUtil.setDateInputFormatter(new DateInputFormatter() {
              public Date format(String dateString) {
                 final DateTimeFormat dateFormatter = DateTimeFormat.getFormat("MMM d, yyyy");
                 Date date = dateFormatter.parse(dateString);
                 return date;
              }
           });

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateInputFormatter

    - #### setDateParser

          public static void setDateParser(DateParser parser)

      Sets up a custom parsing function to use by default when converting dates or datetimes from formatted string values to Dates. This custom parser will be used by SmartGwt components parsing editable date or datetime type values back to live dates by default. The string passed in will be formatted according to the standard "short date" or "short datetime" format (which may be customized via the `setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)` and `setShortDatetimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter)` methods.

      Note that the default date parsing logic already handles all standard short date formats, including those formatted with custom separators. In most cases rather than applying an entirely custom date parser method, desired behavior can be achieved via changing the standard `input format`.

      When writing custom date formatting and parsing logic, developers may find the `DateTimeFormat` class helpful.

      Sample code :

           DateUtil.setDateParser(new DateParser() {
              public Date parse(String dateString) {
                 final DateTimeFormat format = DateTimeFormat.getFormat("MMM d, yyyy");
                 Date date = format.parse(dateString);
                 return date;
              }
           });

      Individual components may also override date formatting and parsing functions directly.

      Parameters:
        `parser` -

    - #### setDateInputFormat

          public static void setDateInputFormat(java.lang.String inputFormat)

      Sets up the default system-wide input format for strings being parsed into dates via SmartGWT utilities and components (see `parseInput(String)`). This input format is respected when parsing formatted strings to "date" or "datetime" type values.

      This method takes a 3 character string like `"MDY"` indicating the order of the Month, Day and Year components of date strings.

      As an example - an input format of "MDY" would parse "01/02/1999" to Jan 2nd 1999
      This standard parsing logic will also handle date-time strings such as "01/02/1999 08:45", or "01/02/1999 16:21:05".

      Notes:

      - Has no effect if a custom parser has been specified via #setDateParser(DateParser) unless you also call {@link #clearDateParser()} to discard the parser.
      - If this method is never called, the system attempts to automatically determine the standard input format will be automatically determined based on the specified {@link #setShortDateDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter) short date display format}. For example if the short display format has been set to "toEuropeanShortDate" the input format will default to "DMY".
      - The default date parsing functionality built into SmartGWT will handle dates presented with any separator string, and can 1 or 2 digit day and month values and 2 or 4 digit year values. This means that in many cases custom date display formats can be parsed back to Date values without the need for explicit custom formatter functions. However if more sophisticated parsing logic is required an entirely custom parser function may be applied via {@link #setDateParser()}.
      - Date parsing and formatting logic may be overridden at the component level by setting properties directly on the component or field in question.
      Parameters:
        `inputFormat` -

    - #### clearDateParser

          public static void clearDateParser()

      If a custom system wide date parser has been specified via `setDateParser(DateParser)`, clear this and revert to the standard date input format specified via `setDateInputFormat(String)`.

    - #### mapRelativeDateShortcut

          public static java.lang.String mapRelativeDateShortcut(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut,
                                                                 RelativeDateRangePosition position)

      Converts a RelativeDate shortcut string such as `"$today"` to a RelativeDateString such as `"+0D"`
      Parameters:
        `relativeDateShortcut` - shortcut string to convert
        `position` - Are we interested in the start or end of the specified relative date? This applies to shortcuts which do not specify a specific moment (such as `$today`) - it does not apply to shortcuts which already specify a specific moment such as `$startOfToday`. If unspecified rangePosition is always assumed to be "start"
      Returns:
        converted relative date string

    - #### mapRelativeDateShortcut

          public static java.lang.String mapRelativeDateShortcut(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut)

    - #### getAbsoluteDate

          public static java.util.Date getAbsoluteDate(java.lang.String relativeDateShortcut,
                                                       java.util.Date baseDate,
                                                       RelativeDateRangePosition rangePosition)

      Parameters:
        `relativeDateShortcut` - the `RelativeDateShortcut` or `RelativeDateString` string to convert
        `baseDate` - base value for conversion. Defaults to the current date/time.
        `rangePosition` - date-range position. Only has an effect if the date passed in is a `RelativeDateShortcut` where the range position is not implicit, such as "$yesterday"
      Returns:
        resulting absolute date value
      See Also:
        `getAbsoluteDate(com.smartgwt.client.data.RelativeDate)`

    - #### setNormalTimeDisplayFormatter

          public static void setNormalTimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set up a system wide default normal time formatting function. After calling this method, times displayed in SmartGWT components will use the specified format. The initial default normal time display formatter is `DateUtil.TOTIME`.

      SmartGWT includes several built-in DateDisplayFormatters for common formats - see `DateDisplayFormatter` for details.

      As of version 4.1, SmartGWT has built-in string-based formatting of date and time values via the `DateFormatStringFormatter` class. The main advantage of using the built-in formatting feature is that it is harmonized with the formatting we export to Excel and other targets, leading to an exported document that more closely resembles the original application. See `com.smartgwt.client.data.DataSourceField#format` for details. Sample code :

           DateUtil.setNormalTimeDisplayFormatter(new DateFormatStringFormatter("HH-mm-ss"));

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### setShortTimeDisplayFormatter

          public static void setShortTimeDisplayFormatter(DateDisplayFormatter formatter)

      Set up a system wide default short time formatting function. After calling this method, subsequent calls to `isc.Time.toShortTime()` will return a string formatted according to this formatter specification. Note: this will be the standard time format used by SmartGWT components. The initial default normal time display formatter is `DateUtil.TOSHORTTIME`.

      SmartGWT includes several built-in DateDisplayFormatters for common formats - see `DateDisplayFormatter` for details.

      Parameters:
        `formatter` - the DateDisplayFormatter

    - #### format

          public static java.lang.String format(java.util.Date date,
                                                java.lang.String format)

      Format the parameter date using the parameter format string. This is a convenience method; it simply creates a `DateFormatStringFormatter` and calls its `format()` method
      Parameters:
        `date` - the Date to format
        `format` - the format string to use
      Returns:
        the parameter date formatted according to the parameter format string

    - #### setDayNames

          public static void setDayNames(java.lang.String[] dayNames)

      Set the array of names of days. For example:

           new String[] {
               "Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday" }

      The appropriate day name will then be returned from `#getDayName()`, and may be used whenever SmartGWT components display day-names (for example in the `DateItem class`).

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `dayNames` - a length 7 array of day names

    - #### setShortDayNames

          public static void setShortDayNames(java.lang.String[] shortDayNames)

      Set the array of shortened names of days. For example:

           new String[] {
               "Jan", "Feb", "Mar", "Apr", "May", "Jun", "Jul", "Aug", "Sep", "Oct", "Nov", "Dec" }

      The appropriate day name will then be returned from `#getShortDayName()`, and may be used whenever SmartGWT components display shortened day-names (for example in the `DateItem class`).

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `shortDayNames` - a length 7 array of abbreviated day names

    - #### setMonthNames

          public static void setMonthNames(java.lang.String[] monthNames)

      Set the array of names of months. For example:

           new String[] {
               "January", "February", "March", "April", "May", "June", "July",
               "August", "September", "October", "November", "December" }

      The appropriate month name will then be returned from `#getMonthName()`, and may be used whenever SmartGWT components display month-names (for example in the `DateItem class`).

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `monthNames` - a length 12 array of month names

    - #### setShortMonthNames

          public static void setShortMonthNames(java.lang.String[] shortMonthNames)

      Set the array of names of months. For example:

           new String[] {
               "Jan", "Feb", "Mar", "Apr", "May", "Jun",
               "Jul", "Aug", "Sep", "Oct", "Nov", "Dec" }

      The appropriate month name will then be returned from `#getShortMonthName()`, and may be used whenever SmartGWT components display month-names (for example in the `DateItem class`).

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `shortMonthNames` - a length 12 array of abbreviated month names

    - #### getFiscalStartDate

          public static java.util.Date getFiscalStartDate(java.lang.Integer year,
                                                          FiscalCalendar fiscalCalendar)

      Get the start date of the fiscal period for the passed year.
      Returns:

    - #### autoDetectFormats

          public static void autoDetectFormats()

      Use the GWT LocaleInfo class to auto-detect the various formats for dates and times.