SimpleDateFormat applyPattern() Method in Java with Examples

The applyPattern() Method of SimpleDateFormat class is used to set a given defined pattern to the Date Format. It simply converts a particular date and time to a specific format as defined by the user for eg., dd/ MM/ yyyy HH:mm Z or MM/ dd/ yyyy HH:mm Z.
Syntax:

public void applyPattern(String pattern)

Parameters: The method takes one parameter pattern of String type and refers to the new date and time pattern for this date format.
Return Value: The method returns void type.
Below programs illustrate the working of applyPattern() Method of SimpleDateFormat:
Example 1:

Java

// Java code to illustrate
// applyPattern() method

import java.text.*;
import java.util.Calendar;

public class SimpleDateFormat_Demo {

    public static void main(String[] args)
        throws InterruptedException
    {
        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat
            = new SimpleDateFormat();

        // Initializing the calendar Object
        Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();

        // Using the below pattern
        String new_pat = "dd/ MM/ yyyy HH:mm Z";

        // Use of applyPattern() method
        SDFormat.applyPattern(new_pat);

        // Displaying Current date and time
        String curr_date
            = SDFormat.format(cal.getTime());

        System.out.println("The Current Date: "
                           + curr_date);

        // Displaying the pattern
        System.out.println("Applied Pattern: "
                           + SDFormat.toPattern());
    }
}

Output:

The Current Date: 29/ 01/ 2019 07:22 +0000
Applied Pattern: dd/ MM/ yyyy HH:mm Z

Example 2:

Java

// Java code to illustrate
// applyPattern() method

import java.text.*;
import java.util.Calendar;

public class SimpleDateFormat_Demo {

    public static void main(String[] args)
        throws InterruptedException
    {
        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat
            = new SimpleDateFormat();

        // Initializing the calendar Object
        Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();

        // Using the below pattern
        String new_pat = "MM/ dd/ yyyy HH:mm Z";

        // Use of applyPattern() method
        SDFormat.applyPattern(new_pat);

        // Displaying Current date and time
        String curr_date
            = SDFormat.format(cal.getTime());
        System.out.println("The Current Date: "
                           + curr_date);

        // Displaying the pattern
        System.out.println("Applied Pattern: "
                           + SDFormat.toPattern());
    }
}

Output:

The Current Date: 01/ 29/ 2019 07:22 +0000
Applied Pattern: MM/ dd/ yyyy HH:mm Z