How do you write dates?
- Thread starter Gryffindorian
- Start date
My wall clock is a 12-hour clock. My watch is a 12-hour clock. My digital alarm clock is a 12-hour clock. My phone is a 12-hour clock. My computer is a 12-hour clock. Every time-keeping device that I encounter in my daily life is a 12-hour clock. Why would I use anything else when speaking/writing?
Well your computer could be set to 24hr clock, same with your phone. A digital alarm clock no doubt has a function to change to 24hr clock.
Look at virtually any timetable in the UK and the format will be 24hr clock. 24hr News stations in the UK display the format in 24hr. About the only time where 12hr clock is used is informal communication. More formal communication will use 24hr clock to avoid any misunderstand/mis-hearing.
Look at virtually any timetable in the UK and the format will be 24hr clock. 24hr News stations in the UK display the format in 24hr. About the only time where 12hr clock is used is informal communication. More formal communication will use 24hr clock to avoid any misunderstand/mis-hearing.
Could be, but the default is 12-hour clock, so that's what I go with.
None that I've ever owned.
stardate 66023.9
seriously, i usually do DD/MM/YY unless there's a reason not to. apart from my journal, where i write it as weekday/date/month - as in Monday 23 Jan.
seriously, i usually do DD/MM/YY unless there's a reason not to. apart from my journal, where i write it as weekday/date/month - as in Monday 23 Jan.
In the US perhaps, in the UK the default is 24hr.
If I'm date- and time-stamping something, for example the name of an electronic record or file that can't or won't be searched for using the system's built-in date system, I write it as YYYYMMDD(HHHH) or YYYY-MM-DD-HHHH. Just like the way the BBC names its individual podcasts.
Otherwise, it's usually DD/MM/YY (or indeed (D)D/(M)M/(YY)((Y))Y) or XXXXday DDth MMMMMberary, YYYY. But I don't do DD.MM.YY any more.
Otherwise, it's usually DD/MM/YY (or indeed (D)D/(M)M/(YY)((Y))Y) or XXXXday DDth MMMMMberary, YYYY. But I don't do DD.MM.YY any more.
YYYY-MM-DD is the proper format to write a date. 
It avoids the inconsistency created by the American format, it's easiest to sort and compare with a computer or with your brain, and it's the standard specified by ISO 8601.
It avoids the inconsistency created by the American format, it's easiest to sort and compare with a computer or with your brain, and it's the standard specified by ISO 8601.
Every one I've ever owned has 24hr time.
As far as dates go, I usually do January 23, 2012, but I've used January 23rd, 2012, 1/23/2012, 1/23/12, and 1-23-2012 as well depending on what and where I'm writing, so I'm easy like Sunday morning.
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YYYY-MM-DD is the proper format to write a date.
The 24hr clock format falls under the same ISO.
The Day-Month-Year numeric format usually bugs the shit out of me and is quite confusing. 
Apparently, this format is more commonly used in other countries, but in the U.S., when you write "02/06/12," that usually means February 6, not June 2.
Apparently, this format is more commonly used in other countries, but in the U.S., when you write "02/06/12," that usually means February 6, not June 2.
DD-MM-YY
I write dates as DD/MM/YY, or DD Month YYYY in more formal writings or to avoid confusion with American folks. You will never catch me using the American format.
I also usually write time in 24-hours format, except in very informal situation or when there is no room for misinterpretation ("I'll see you at the pub at nine o'clock").
I also usually write time in 24-hours format, except in very informal situation or when there is no room for misinterpretation ("I'll see you at the pub at nine o'clock").
I find using dots in dates to be rather ostentatious--unless they're stardates.
I tend to use dots when I save files at work, just because you can't use slashes, and I'm already using dashes for other things.
When I must use a date in a filename, it's something like this:
[filedescription]-[CCYYMMDD].[xxx]
That's so it will sort by date, like someone else said.
