Python: Converting string to timestamp with microseconds

Question

I would like to convert string date format to timestamp with microseconds I try the following but not giving expected result:

\"\"\"input string date ->          


        

Answer 1

There is no slot for the microseconds component in a time tuple:

>>> import time
>>> import datetime
>>> myDate = "2014-08-01 04:41:52,117"
>>> datetime.datetime.strptime(myDate, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S,%f").timetuple()
time.struct_time(tm_year=2014, tm_mon=8, tm_mday=1, tm_hour=4, tm_min=41, tm_sec=52, tm_wday=4, tm_yday=213, tm_isdst=-1)

You'll have to add those manually:

>>> dt = datetime.datetime.strptime(myDate, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S,%f")
>>> time.mktime(dt.timetuple()) + (dt.microsecond / 1000000.0)
1406864512.117

The other method you could follow is to produce a timedelta() object relative to the epoch, then get the timestamp with the timedelta.total_seconds() method:

epoch = datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(0)
(dt - epoch).total_seconds()

The use of a local time epoch is quite deliberate since you have a naive (not timezone-aware) datetime value. This method can be inaccurate based on the history of your local timezone however, see J.F. Sebastian's comment. You'd have to convert the naive datetime value to a timezone-aware datetime value first using your local timezone before subtracting a timezone-aware epoch.

As such, it is easier to stick to the timetuple() + microseconds approach.

Demo:

>>> dt = datetime.datetime.strptime(myDate, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S,%f")
>>> epoch = datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(0)
>>> (dt - epoch).total_seconds()
1406864512.117