# Class DateTimeSyntax

java.lang.Object
javax.print.attribute.DateTimeSyntax

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Serializable`, `Cloneable`

Direct Known Subclasses:
  `DateTimeAtCompleted`, `DateTimeAtCreation`, `DateTimeAtProcessing`, `JobHoldUntil`

public abstract class DateTimeSyntax extends Object implements Serializable, Cloneable
Class `DateTimeSyntax` is an abstract base class providing the common implementation of all attributes whose value is a date and time.

Under the hood, a date-time attribute is stored as a value of class `java.util.Date`. You can get a date-time attribute's `Date` value by calling `getValue()`. A date-time attribute's `Date` value is established when it is constructed (see `DateTimeSyntax(Date)`). Once constructed, a date-time attribute's value is immutable.

To construct a date-time attribute from separate values of the year, month, day, hour, minute, and so on, use a `java.util.Calendar` object to construct a `java.util.Date` object, then use the `java.util.Date` object to construct the date-time attribute. To convert a date-time attribute to separate values of the year, month, day, hour, minute, and so on, create a `java.util.Calendar` object and set it to the `java.util.Date` from the date-time attribute. Class `DateTimeSyntax` stores its value in the form of a `java.util.Date` rather than a `java.util.Calendar` because it typically takes less memory to store and less time to compare a `java.util.Date` than a `java.util.Calendar`.

See Also:
  - Serialized Form

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Modifier
  Constructor
  Description
  `protected`
  `DateTimeSyntax(Date value)`
  Construct a new date-time attribute with the given `java.util.Date` value.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `boolean`
  `equals(Object object)`
  Returns whether this date-time attribute is equivalent to the passed in object.
  `Date`
  `getValue()`
  Returns this date-time attribute's `java.util.Date` value.
  `int`
  `hashCode()`
  Returns a hash code value for this date-time attribute.
  `String`
  `toString()`
  Returns a string value corresponding to this date-time attribute.

  ### Methods declared in class java.lang.Object

  `clone, finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### DateTimeSyntax

    protected DateTimeSyntax(Date value)
    Construct a new date-time attribute with the given `java.util.Date` value.
    Parameters:
      `value` - `java.util.Date` value
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if `value` is `null`

- ## Method Details

  - ### getValue

    public Date getValue()
    Returns this date-time attribute's `java.util.Date` value.
    Returns:
      the `Date`

  - ### equals

    public boolean equals(Object object)
    Returns whether this date-time attribute is equivalent to the passed in object. To be equivalent, all of the following conditions must be true:
    1. `object` is not `null`.
    2. `object` is an instance of class `DateTimeSyntax`.
    3. This date-time attribute's `java.util.Date` value and `object`'s `java.util.Date` value are equal.
    Overrides:
      `equals` in class `Object`
    Parameters:
      `object` - `Object` to compare to
    Returns:
      `true` if `object` is equivalent to this date-time attribute, `false` otherwise
    See Also:
      - `Object.hashCode()`
      - `HashMap`

  - ### hashCode

    public int hashCode()
    Returns a hash code value for this date-time attribute. The hashcode is that of this attribute's `java.util.Date` value.
    Overrides:
      `hashCode` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      a hash code value for this object
    See Also:
      - `Object.equals(java.lang.Object)`
      - `System.identityHashCode(java.lang.Object)`

  - ### toString

    public String toString()
    Returns a string value corresponding to this date-time attribute. The string value is just this attribute's `java.util.Date` value converted to a string.
    Overrides:
      `toString` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      a string representation of the object