How to Use the date() Function in PHP to Get and Format the Current Date and Time?

How to Use the `date()` Function in PHP to Get and Format the Current Date and Time?

In PHP, the `date()` function is a common method for retrieving and formatting date and time. It can return the current server time or a specified timestamp formatted as a date and time string, based on the format string you provide.

Basic Syntax:

string date(string \$format [, int \$timestamp = time() ])

• \$format: Required, defines the format for the date/time.
• \$timestamp: Optional, specifies the timestamp, defaults to the current time.

Common Format Characters:

• Y - Four-digit year, e.g., 2025
• m - Two-digit month, e.g., 08
• d - Two-digit day, e.g., 27
• H - Hour in 24-hour format, e.g., 14
• i - Minute, e.g., 05
• s - Second, e.g., 09
• l - Full weekday name, e.g., Wednesday

Example: Get the Current Date and Time:

  
<?php  
echo date('Y-m-d H:i:s');  // Outputs something like 2025-08-27 14:05:09  
?>  

Formatting Example:

  
<?php  
// Display full date and weekday  
echo date('l, d F Y');  // Outputs something like Wednesday, 27 August 2025  
?>  

By combining different format characters, you can customize the output, such as displaying only the date, only the time, or including the weekday. The `date()` function is an essential tool for handling time in PHP development, and it is widely used for logging, time display, and scheduling tasks.

Summary:

With the date() function, you can easily retrieve the current date and time and customize the output with a format string. If you need to use a specific timezone, remember to set date_default_timezone_set() before calling date().