How to Convert a String to LocalTime in Java

How can I convert a string representing a time into a LocalTime object in Java?

String timeString = "14:30";
LocalTime localTime = LocalTime.parse(timeString);

In Java, the LocalTime class represents a time without a time zone. It is part of the java.time package introduced in Java 8. Converting a string that represents a time into a LocalTime instance is straightforward using the parse method.

String timeString = "14:30";
try {
    LocalTime localTime = LocalTime.parse(timeString);
    System.out.println("Converted LocalTime: " + localTime);
} catch (DateTimeParseException e) {
    System.out.println("Invalid time format: " + e.getMessage());
}

Causes

• Incorrect format of the time string.
• Using a time string that is not parsable by LocalTime.
• Inadvertent use of time zones or offsets.

Solutions

• Ensure the time string is in the correct format (HH:mm).
• Use LocalTime.parse(timeString) for conversion.
• Handle potential exceptions using try-catch blocks to manage parsing errors.

Mistake: Using an incorrect time string format (e.g., providing seconds when none is required).

Solution: Ensure the time format strictly adheres to HH:mm.

Mistake: Directly using the parse method without error handling.

Solution: Wrap the parse call in a try-catch block to gracefully handle parsing exceptions.