Save a time for later use

Question

In the datetime package, we have the command \newdate which allows you to save a date for later use.

In the same line, without thinking much, I tried to use: \newtime{examstart}{09}{00} and was rather surprised to find that this command does not exist.

A search reveals that actually there is nothing similar to \newdate for saving a time for later use.

What do you think will be the best way to save a time for later use?

Definitely, I will want to save the in some structured manner making further processing including formatting possible, just like the \newdate command.

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 20 '14 at 14:51

13

Just mimick what datetime does for \newtime:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{datetime}

\makeatletter
\newcommand{\newtime}[3]{%
  \@ifundefined{time@#1@h}
    {\@namedef{time@#1@h}{#2}\@namedef{time@#1@m}{#3}}
    {\PackageError{datetime}{Time `#1' already defined}{}}%
}
\newcommand{\displaytime}[1]{%
  \@ifundefined{time@#1@h}
    {\PackageError{datetime}{Date `#1' not defined}{}}
    {\formattime{\@nameuse{time@#1@h}}{\@nameuse{time@#1@m}}{00}}%
}
\makeatother

\newtime{now}{15}{43}
\newtime{wow}{21}{12}

\begin{document}

\displaytime{now}

\displaytime{wow}

\end{document}

answered Jan 20 '14 at 14:51

egreg

1,121,712

MWE displays ! Undefined control sequence. <argument> \formattime {\@nameuse {time@now@h}}{\@nameuse {time@now@m}}{00} – Masroor Jan 20 '14 at 15:06
@MMA Check your version of datetime; I have version 2.59. – egreg Jan 20 '14 at 15:09
Upgrading to the latest version solved the problem. – Masroor Jan 20 '14 at 15:14
1

The new macro must be added to the next version of datetime. – Masroor Jan 20 '14 at 15:14
@MMA Make a feature request to Nicola Talbot. – egreg Jan 20 '14 at 15:19
@MMA Just to add to egreg's comment, I have a feature request form. – Nicola Talbot Jan 20 '14 at 15:28
Already submitted the request. Found via Google search. – Masroor Jan 20 '14 at 15:30
@NicolaTalbot Perhaps will want to add an optional third argument for seconds as well. – Masroor Jan 21 '14 at 00:46

Save a time for later use

1 Answers1