Comparing dates in Python

Last Updated : 24 May, 2018

Comparing dates is quite easy in Python. Dates can be easily compared using comparison operators (like <, >, <=, >=, != etc.). Let’s see how to compare dates with the help of datetime module using Python.

Code #1 : Basic

# Simple Python program to compare dates
  
# importing datetime module
import datetime
  
# date in yyyy/mm/dd format
d1 = datetime.datetime(2018, 5, 3)
d2 = datetime.datetime(2018, 6, 1)
  
# Comparing the dates will return
# either True or False
print("d1 is greater than d2 : ", d1 > d2)
print("d1 is less than d2 : ", d1 < d2)
print("d1 is not equal to d2 : ", d1 != d2)

Output :

d1 is greater than d2 :  False
d1 is less than d2 :  True
d1 is not equal to d2 :  True

Code #2 : Sorting dates

One of the best ways to sort a group of dates is to store them into a list and apply sort() method. This will sort all the dates which are available in the list. One can store the date class objects into the list using append() method.

# Python program to sort the dates
  
# importing datetime module
from datetime import *
  
# create empty list
group = []
  
# add today's date
group.append(date.today())
  
# create some more dates
d = date(2015, 6, 29)
group.append(d)
  
d = date(2011, 4, 7)
group.append(d)
  
# add 25 days to the date
# and add to the list
group.append(d + timedelta(days = 25))
  
# sort the list
group.sort()
  
# print the dates
for d in group:
    print(d)
     

Output :

Code #3 : Comparing Dates

Compare two date class objects, just like comparing two numbers.

# importing datetime module
from datetime import *
  
# Enter birth dates and store
# into date class objects
d1, m1, y1 = [int(x) for x in input("Enter first"
        " person's date(DD/MM/YYYY) : ").split('/')]
  
b1 = date(y1, m1, d1)
  
# Input for second date
d2, m2, y2 = [int(x) for x in input("Enter second"
        " person's date(DD/MM/YYYY) : ").split('/')]
  
b2 = date(y2, m2, d2)
  
# Check the dates
if b1 == b2:
    print("Both persons are of equal age")
      
elif b1 > b2:
    print("The second person is older")
      
else:
    print("The first person is older")

Output :

Enter first person's date(DD/MM/YYYY) : 12/05/2017
Enter second person's date(DD/MM/YYYY) : 10/11/2015
The second person is older

Attention geek! Strengthen your foundations with the Python Programming Foundation Course and learn the basics.

To begin with, your interview preparations Enhance your Data Structures concepts with the Python DS Course. And to begin with your Machine Learning Journey, join the Machine Learning – Basic Level Course

My Personal Notes

Aug	SEP	Oct
	18
2020	2021	2022

Related Articles

Comparing dates in Python