---
title: "system.date.parse"
description: "Attempts to parse a string and create a Date."
---

# system.date.parse

> Attempts to parse a string and create a Date.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description

Attempts to parse a string and create a Date. Causes ParseException if the date dateString parameter is in an unrecognized format.

## Client Permission Restrictions

This scripting function has no [Client Permission](ignition-modules\vision\vision-project-properties\vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax

`system.date.parse(dateString, [formatString], [locale])`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
String | `dateString` | The string to parse into a date.
String | `formatString` | Format string used by the parser. Default is "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss" Refer to [Data Type Formatting Reference](appendix\reference-pages\data-type-formatting-reference\data-type-formatting-reference.md). [optional]
Object | `locale` | Locale used for parsing. Can be the locale name such as 'fr', or the Java Locale such as 'Locale.French'. Default is 'Locale.English'. Refer to [Java Locale](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/java8locales-2095355.html). [optional]

### Returns
**Date** - The parsed date.

### Scope
Gateway, Vision Client, Perspective Session

## Code Examples

```python title="Code Snippet"
# This example will return a date object set to the given date and time, May 28th, 1992 at 4:22am.
print system.date.parse('May 28, 1992 4:22', 'MMMM dd, yyyy hh:mm')
```

```python title="Code Snippet - Using the Locale Parameter"
# This example demonstrates the locale parameter to parse a French date
print system.date.parse("juillet 15, 2015 10:32:15", "MMMM dd, yyyy hh:mm:ss", "fr")
```

``` python title="Code Snippet - Using the Java Locale"
# This example demonstrates using the Java Locale. If using the Java Locale, then you must import from the Locale class. The following example parses a German date. 
from java.util import Locale
print system.date.parse('21-Februar-2017 04:22:00', 'dd-MMMM-yyyy HH:mm:ss', Locale.GERMAN)
```