silverstripe-framework/docs/en/reference/datefield.md

# DateField

## Introduction

This `FormField` subclass lets you display an editable date, either in 
a single text input field, or in three separate fields for day, month and year. 
It also provides a calendar datepicker.

## Adding a DateField 

The following example will add a simple DateField to your Page, allowing you to 
enter a date manually. 

	:::php
	class Page extends SiteTree {
		private static $db = array(
			'MyDate' => 'Date',
		);
	
		public function getCMSFields() {
			$fields = parent::getCMSFields();
			
			$fields->addFieldToTab(
				'Root.Main',
				$myDate = new DateField('MyDate', 'Enter a date')
			);
			
			return $fields;
		} 
	}	

## Custom Dateformat

You can define a custom dateformat for your Datefield based on [Zend_Date constants](http://framework.zend.com/manual/1.12/en/zend.date.constants.html).

	:::php
	// will display a date in the following format: 31-06-2012
	DateField::create('MyDate')->setConfig('dateformat', 'dd-MM-yyyy'); 
 

## Min and Max Dates

Set the minimum and maximum allowed datevalues using the `min` and `max` 
configuration settings (in ISO format or strtotime() compatible). Example: 

	:::php
	DateField::create('MyDate')
		->setConfig('min', '-7 days')
		->setConfig('max', '2012-12-31')
		
## Separate Day/Month/Year Fields

The following setting will display your DateField as `three input fields` for 
day, month and year separately. Any custom dateformat settings will be ignored. 
HTML5 placeholders 'day', 'month' and 'year' are enabled by default. 

	:::php
	DateField::create('MyDate')
		->setConfig('dmyfields', true)
		->setConfig('dmyseparator', '/') // set the separator
		->setConfig('dmyplaceholders', 'true'); // enable HTML 5 Placeholders

## Formatting Hints

Its often not immediate apparent which format a field accepts,
and showing the technical format (e.g. `HH:mm:ss`) is of limited
use to the average user. An alternative is to show the current date
in the desired format alongside the field description as an example.

	:::php
	$dateField = DateField::create('MyDate');
	// Show long format as text below the field
	$dateField->setDescription(sprintf(
		_t('FormField.Example', 'e.g. %s', 'Example format'),
		Convert::raw2xml(Zend_Date::now()->toString($dateField->getConfig('dateformat')))
	));
	// Alternatively, set short format as a placeholder in the field
	$dateField->setAttribute('placeholder', $dateField->getConfig('dateformat'));

Note: Fields scaffolded through `[api:DataObject::scaffoldCMSFields()]` automatically
have a description attached to them.

## Calendar Field
 
The following setting will add a Calendar to a single DateField, using the 
`jQuery UI DatePicker widget`

	:::php
	DateField::create('MyDate')->setConfig('showcalendar', true);


### 'Safe' Dateformats to Use with the Calendar

The jQuery DatePicker doesn't support every constant available for Zend_Date. 
If you choose to use the calendar, the following constants should at least be safe:

Constant | xxxxx
-------- | -----
d        | numeric day of the month (without leading zero)
dd       | numeric day of the month (with leading zero)
EEE      | dayname, abbreviated
EEEE     | dayname
M        | numeric month of the year (without leading zero)
MM       | numeric month of the year (with leading zero)
MMM	     | monthname, abbreviated	
MMMM     | monthname
y        | year (4 digits)
yy       | year (2 digits)
yyyy     | year (4 digits)

### Calendar localization issues

Unfortunately the day- and monthname values in Zend Date do not always match 
those in the existing jQuery UI locale files, so constants like `EEE` or `MMM`, 
for day and monthnames could break validation. To fix this we had to slightly 
alter the jQuery locale files, situated in 
*/framework/thirdparty/jquery-ui/datepicker/i18n/*, to match Zend_Date. 

At this moment not all locale files may be present. If a locale file is 
missing, the DatePicker calendar will fallback to 'yyyy-MM-dd' whenever day- 
and/or monthnames are used. After saving, the correct format will be displayed.  

## Contributing jQuery Locale Files

If you find the jQuery locale file for your chosen locale is missing, the 
following section will explain how to create one. If you wish to contribute 
your file to the SilverStripe core, please check out the guide on
['contributing code'](http://doc.silverstripe.org/framework/en/trunk/misc/contributing/code).

### 1. Get the Sourcefile

You can find a list of locale files for the jQuery UI DatePicker 
[in the jQuery source code](https://github.com/jquery/jquery-ui/tree/master/ui/i18n).

### 2. Find your Zend Locale File

The Zend locale files are located in */framework/thirdparty/Zend/Locale/Data/*. 
Find the one that has the information for your locale. 

### 3. Find the Date Values

You're looking for the `Gregorian` date values for monthnames and daynames in 
the Zend locale file. Edit the DatePicker locale File so your *full day- and 
monthnames* and *short monthnames* match. For your *short daynames*, use the 
first three characters of the full name. Note that Zend dates are `case 
sensitive`!

### 4. Filename

Use the original jQuery UI filename 'jquery.ui.datepicker-xx.js', where xx 
stands for the locale.