w3resource

Python: Validate a Gregorian date


Write a Python program to validate a Gregorian date. The month is between 1 and 12 inclusive, the day is within the allowed number of days for the given month. Leap year’s are taken into consideration. The year is between 1 and 32767 inclusive.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Import the datetime module
import datetime

# Define a function named check_date which checks if the provided date is valid
def check_date(m, d, y):
    try:
        # Convert month, day, and year to integers
        m, d, y = map(int, (m, d, y))
        # Attempt to create a datetime object with the provided date components
        datetime.date(y, m, d)
        # If successful, return True (valid date)
        return True
    except ValueError:
        # If ValueError is raised (invalid date), return False
        return False

# Test the check_date function with different inputs
print(check_date(11, 11, 2002))      # Valid date: November 11, 2002
print(check_date('11', '11', '2002')) # Valid date: November 11, 2002 (provided as strings)
print(check_date(13, 11, 2002))       # Invalid date: February 13, 2002 (day exceeds maximum for February)

Output:

True
True
False

Explanation:

In the exercise above,

  • The code imports the "datetime" module.
  • It defines a function named "check_date()" which takes three parameters representing the month, day, and year respectively.
  • Inside the function:
    • It attempts to convert the month, day, and year to integers using the "map()" function and 'int' constructor.
    • It attempts to create a datetime.date object with the provided date components.
    • If successful (no "ValueError" is raised), it returns 'True' indicating a valid date.
    • If a "ValueError" is raised (invalid date), it catches the exception and returns 'False'.
  • It tests the "check_date()" function with different inputs:
    • check_date(11, 11, 2002) checks for November 11, 2002, which is a valid date.
    • check_date('11', '11', '2002') checks for the same date, but with the components provided as strings.
    • check_date(13, 11, 2002) checks for February 13, 2002, which is an invalid date because the day exceeds the maximum for February.

Flowchart:

Flowchart: Validate a Gregorian date.

Python Code Editor:

Contribute your code and comments through Disqus.

Previous: Write a Python program to get the first and last second.
Next: Write a Python program to set the default timezone used by all date/time functions.

What is the difficulty level of this exercise?

Test your Programming skills with w3resource's quiz.



Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for latest update.