Mastering Date Operations in C++ Using the Date Class

This C++ code explores the capabilities of a custom Date class. Divided into distinct sections, it demonstrates date creation, arithmetic operations, comparisons, and manipulations. Part 1 initializes and prints exam and result dates, calculates days between them, and modifies dates. Part 2 compares two dates, while Part 3 increments and decrements a date. Part 4 attempts to update the month with error handling. Through these operations, the code offers a comprehensive overview of the Date class, showcasing its utility in handling dates with precision and flexibility.

Comprehensive Exploration of C++ Date Operations

This C++ code delves into the functionality of a custom Date class, illustrating its versatility in managing dates with precision. It covers key aspects such as date creation, arithmetic operations, comparisons, and manipulations across multiple sections. Whether you are a student seeking help with your C++ assignment or a programmer exploring date handling in C++, this code serves as a comprehensive guide. Through various operations and scenarios, it showcases the Date class's capabilities, making it a valuable resource for those looking to understand or implement date-related functionalities in C++.

Block 1: Initialization

std::cout << std::endl << "*** Q3 PART 1 ***" << std::endl; // Create a date object: examDate and initialize it to 10/06/2021 Date examDate(2021, 6, 10); // Print the examDate and the "day number" for examDate std::cout << "Exam date: " << examDate << " (" << examDate.getDayNumber() << ") " << std::endl;

In this block, the program starts by printing a section header. Then, it creates a Date object named examDate and initializes it with the date 10/06/2021. The program prints the exam date and the corresponding day number.

Block 2: More Date Operations

// Create a date object: resultDate and initialize it to 12/07/2021 Date resultDate(2021, 7, 12); // Print the resultDate and the "day number" for resultDate std::cout << "Result release date: " << resultDate << " (" << resultDate.getDayNumber() << ") "<< std::endl; // Print #days between resultDate and examDate std::cout << "Days to get results = " << resultDate - examDate << std::endl; // Compute exam end date. This is one day after examDate examDate += 1; std::cout << "Exam end date: " << examDate << std::endl; // Compute the resultDate last year: 365 days before this resultDate Date resultDateLastYear = resultDate - 365; std::cout << "Result Date Last Year: " << resultDateLastYear << std::endl;

This block involves creating another Date object named resultDate with the date 12/07/2021 and printing its details. It calculates and prints the number of days between resultDate and examDate. Then, it modifies examDate by adding one day and prints the result. Finally, it calculates a resultDateLastYear by subtracting 365 days from resultDate and prints it.

Block 3: Section Header and Date Comparison

std::cout << std::endl << "*** Q3 PART 2 ***" << std::endl; // Create two date objects Date date1(2020, 6, 10); Date date2(2017, 2, 28); std::cout << "date1: " << date1 << ", date2: " << date2 << std::endl; // Compare the two dates and print if (date1 == date2){ std::cout << "date1 == date2" << std::endl; }else if (date1 < date2){ std::cout << "date1 < date2" << std::endl; }else{ std::cout << "date1 > date2" << std::endl; }

This block starts a new section and creates two Date objects, date1 and date2, printing their details. It then compares the two dates and prints whether date1 is equal to, less than, or greater than date2.

Block 4: Date Increment and Decrement

std::cout << std::endl << "*** Q3 PART 3 ***" << std::endl; // Create a date object Date date3(1913, 6, 10); std::cout << "date3: " << date3 << std::endl; // Print the next date from date3 ++date3; std::cout << "++date3: " << date3 << std::endl; // Print the previous date from date3 --date3; std::cout << "date3--: " << date3 << std::endl;

This block introduces a new section and creates a Date object named date3, printing its details. It then increments and decrements date3 and prints the results.

Block 5: Date Modification and Exception Handling

std::cout << std::endl << "*** Q3 PART 4 ***" << std::endl; // Update the month of date3 std::cout << "date3: " << date3 << std::endl; try{ date3['m'] = 12; std::cout << "date2: " << date3['d'] << "/" << date3['m'] << "/" << date3['y'] << std::endl; }catch (std::exception& e) { std::cout << "*** caught: " << e.what() << std::endl; }

In the final block, a new section is introduced. It prints the details of date3 and attempts to update its month to 12. Exception handling is implemented to catch and print any exceptions that may occur during this operation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this C++ program showcases the functionality of the Date class through a series of operations, offering a comprehensive exploration of date manipulation and comparison. The code adeptly handles date arithmetic, including addition and subtraction, date comparison, and incrementing/decrementing operations. Additionally, it demonstrates effective error handling with a try-catch block when attempting to modify the month of a Date object. Through these operations, the program provides a practical illustration of the capabilities of the Date class, emphasizing its utility in managing and manipulating dates. Overall, this code exemplifies good programming practices and effective use of the Date class to perform diverse date-related tasks.