---
title: "dateIsBefore"
description: "Compares two dates to see if date1 is before date2"
---

# dateIsBefore

> Compares two dates to see if date1 is before date2

**This function is used by Ignition's Expression language.**

## Description

Compares two dates to see if date1 is before date2. This is exclusive, meaning if the dates are identical the result is always false.

## Syntax

`dateIsBefore(date1, date2)`

### Parameters

| Type | Parameter | Description                        |
|------|-----------|------------------------------------|
| Date | `date1`   | The first date to compare.         |
| Date | `date2`   | The second date to compare.        |

### Returns

**Boolean** - Returns true if date1 is before date2. Returns false if date1 is the same as or after date2.

## Examples

```python title="Code Snippet"
dateIsBefore(now(), toDate("2016-04-12 00:00:00"))
// Will be true if the current time is before April 12th, 2016 at midnight.
```