TypeScript:
Converting a date into a string
How to:
// Simple conversion using toLocaleString()
let date = new Date();
let dateString = date.toLocaleString();
console.log(dateString); // "4/3/2023, 1:15:30 PM" (will vary based on locale)
// ISO format using toISOString()
let isoString = date.toISOString();
console.log(isoString); // "2023-04-03T13:15:30.000Z"
// Custom format using toLocaleDateString()
let customString = date.toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
year: 'numeric',
month: 'long',
day: 'numeric',
});
console.log(customString); // "April 3, 2023"
Deep Dive
Think of a date’s string format as its passport, allowing it to travel across system boundaries - from databases to web pages. Historically, we’ve struggled with inconsistent date formats, which is why standards like ISO 8601 were introduced. This simplifies date exchange worldwide.
Alternatives to built-in methods? Libraries! Moment.js was the go-to for years, but these days date-fns or Luxon are the preferred choices - they’re lighter and more modular.
The essence of these conversions lies in the methods used. toLocaleString() leans on the user’s locale, making it perfect for displaying to users. toISOString(), however, stays true to the ISO 8601 format, which is brilliant for serializing and storing dates in a standard format. And toLocaleDateString() gives you control over the appearance, catering to specific styling needs.