Validate time format using preg_match

Question

I want to validate a time input (like 10:30 am, 02:30 pm) using preg_match()

I use this,

 $pattern   =   \"/([1-12]):([0-5])([0-9])( )(a         


        

Answer 1

DATETIME SOLUTION

You can validate all your date/time strings with DateTime::createFromFormat:

Function

function isTimeValid($time) {
    return is_object(DateTime::createFromFormat('h:i a', $time));
}

Example

foreach (['12:30 am', '13:30 am', '00:00 pm', '00:00 am', '12:30am', '15:50pm'] as $time) {
    echo "Time '$time' is " . (isTimeValid($time) ? "" : "not ") . "valid.\n";
}

Example output

Time '12:30 am' is valid.
Time '13:30 am' is not valid.
Time '00:00 pm' is valid.
Time '00:00 am' is valid.
Time '12:30am' is valid.
Time '15:50pm' is not valid.