Unix Timestamp: What Is It and Why Do Developers Use It? - Blog - Adawa.at
Understanding Unix Timestamp and its programming uses
Unix Timestamp is standard way to represent time in programming.
What is Unix Timestamp?
- Number of seconds since January 1, 1970
- Also called Epoch Time
- Integer number
- Globally unified
- Easy in calculations
Why 1970?
- Unix system start
- Global agreed standard
- Easy to program
Uses:
- Databases
- APIs
- Logs
- Sessions
- Expiration
Advantages:
- Easy comparison
- Not affected by time zones
- Small size
- Fast in calculations
Conversion:
- From Timestamp to readable date
- From date to Timestamp
- Difference calculations
Example:
1704067200 = 2024-01-01 00:00:00
Use Timestamp converter for quick conversion!