> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.siteadministrator.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.siteadministrator.com/developer-guide/utilities-and-helpers/datetime.md).

# DateTime

Using PHP's built in date time objects may become cumbersome as developers must handle edge cases with daylight savings time and timezone conversions. Siteadmin 3 offers a custom `sa\application\DateTime` object which synchronizes all timestamps in the application.

> The custom `datetime` object will automatically convert your timestamps to UTC before persisting them to storage. When querying the timestamps from data storage, they will be converted back to the original timezone.

### Basic Usage

#### Create a DateTime

```php
<?php
use sa\application\DateTime;
​
// DateTime will use the application's timezone by default
$date = new DateTime('now');
​
// Override default timezone
new DateTime('now', new \DateTimeZone('America/New_York'));
```

#### Storing DateTimes

Siteadmin's `DateTime` implementation can be used just like PHP's build-in object. Timezone differences and daylight savings time are handled behind the scenes.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.siteadministrator.com/developer-guide/utilities-and-helpers/datetime.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.