Get date representation in seconds?

Question

I am using an API which requires a date parameter as a number of seconds, an int.

My problem is that I currently store this time in java.util.dat

Answer 1

Number of seconds by itself doesn't mean much. Number of seconds within the current minute? Number of seconds since 0:00:00 Janurary 1st, 1970? Number of seconds since lunch? Could you be more specific.

Put it into the API also doesn't mean much, unless you specify exactly which API you are using, and where you are attempting to put these seconds.