Question 1

How to install datetime-fortran on Windows with CMake?

Accepted Answer

Follow the CMake build instructions in the README: run 'cmake -B build' and 'cmake --build build', but remember to include 'src/strptime.cpp' in your project on Windows for strptime functionality. This ensures proper linking with C libraries.

Question 2

Does datetime-fortran support daylight saving time?

Accepted Answer

No, the README explicitly states that the datetime type does not support daylight saving time (DST) information. It only handles basic timezone offsets, so you'll need manual adjustments for DST if required.

Question 3

datetime-fortran vs Python's datetime module: which should I use for Fortran projects?

Accepted Answer

For Fortran codebases, datetime-fortran is essential as it provides native Fortran types and performance. While it mimics Python's API, it avoids the overhead of calling Python from Fortran, making it ideal for scientific computing where Fortran is already deployed.

Question 4

How to parse a custom date string using datetime-fortran?

Accepted Answer

Use the strptime function with a format string, similar to Python. For example, 'strptime("2023-12-25", "%Y-%m-%d")' will return a datetime instance. The README provides examples with format specifiers for common patterns.

Question 5

What timezone features are missing in datetime-fortran?

Accepted Answer

Beyond basic offset handling, datetime-fortran lacks support for daylight saving time, historical timezone changes, and named timezones (e.g., 'America/New_York'). You'll need to manage these externally if your application requires them.

Question 6

Can datetime-fortran handle leap seconds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through the tm_struct compatibility where seconds can range from 0-60 to account for leap seconds, as mentioned in the tm_struct definition. However, higher-level datetime methods may not explicitly expose this, so check the C interoperability functions.

Question 7

Is datetime-fortran compatible with modern Fortran compilers like gfortran?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's written in modern Fortran and tested with CI workflows, as shown by the GitHub Actions badge. It supports compilers that adhere to Fortran 2003+ standards, but always verify with your specific compiler version for any edge cases.

datetime-fortran

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