Java Date before() Method

The before() method of Java Date class tests whether the date is before the specified date or not.

Syntax:

Parameters

when - a date

Return

It returns a Boolean value. It will return true if this date is before the specified date otherwise false.

Exception

NullPointerException will be thrown if when is null.

Example 1

import java.util.Date;

public class JavaDateBeforeExample1 {

	public static void main(String[] args) {
		Date d=new Date(1997,3,10);
		Date d2=new Date(2018,9,21);
		System.out.println("Date 'd' is before Date 'd2' : "+d.before(d2));
		}
}

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Output:

Date 'd' is before Date 'd2' : true

Example 2

import java.util.Date;

public class JavaDateBeforeExample2 {

	public static void main(String[] args) {
		Date d=new Date(2018,9,21);
		Date d2=new Date(1997,3,10);
		System.out.println("Date 'd' is before Date 'd2' : "+d.before(d2));
		}
}

Test it Now

Output: