Which is Better JavaScript Date Manipulation Libraries?
date-fns vs js-joda
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What's JavaScript Date Manipulation Libraries?

Date manipulation libraries are essential tools in web development that help developers manage, format, and manipulate dates and times effectively. They provide a range of functionalities such as parsing, formatting, comparing, and performing arithmetic operations on dates. Using these libraries can significantly simplify the complexities associated with JavaScript's native Date object, which can be cumbersome and error-prone. The choice between libraries like date-fns and js-joda often depends on the specific needs of a project, such as performance, ease of use, and the desired level of functionality.

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date-fns21,597,37134,62022.6 MB74419 days agoMIT
js-joda24,0271,617-175 years agoBSD-3-Clause
Feature Comparison: date-fns vs js-joda

Modularity

  • date-fns: date-fns is designed with a modular architecture, allowing developers to import only the specific functions they need. This results in smaller bundle sizes and improved performance, making it a great choice for projects where minimizing load time is crucial.
  • js-joda: js-joda is a monolithic library, meaning it includes all functionalities in a single package. While this can lead to larger bundle sizes, it provides a comprehensive set of features out of the box, which can be advantageous for applications requiring extensive date manipulation.

Immutability

  • date-fns: date-fns operates on mutable Date objects, meaning that the original date can be altered. This can lead to unintended side effects if not managed carefully, especially in larger applications where state management is critical.
  • js-joda: js-joda emphasizes immutability, meaning that any operations on date and time objects return new instances rather than modifying the original. This approach helps prevent side effects and makes the library safer to use in complex applications.

Time Zone Support

  • date-fns: date-fns has limited support for time zones, primarily relying on the native Date object. For applications that require robust time zone handling, additional libraries may be necessary to complement its functionality.
  • js-joda: js-joda provides extensive support for time zones, allowing developers to handle complex date and time scenarios with ease. It adheres to the ISO-8601 standard, making it suitable for applications that require precise time zone calculations.

Localization

  • date-fns: date-fns offers built-in localization support, allowing developers to format dates according to various locales. This feature is particularly useful for applications targeting international audiences, ensuring that date formats are culturally appropriate.
  • js-joda: js-joda also supports localization, but its focus is more on adhering to the ISO-8601 standard. While it can handle localized formatting, it may require additional configuration compared to date-fns.

Learning Curve

  • date-fns: date-fns has a relatively gentle learning curve, especially for developers familiar with JavaScript's native Date object. Its straightforward API and modular approach make it easy to pick up and integrate into projects quickly.
  • js-joda: js-joda has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive feature set and adherence to the ISO-8601 standard. Developers may need to invest more time to understand its concepts, especially if they are not familiar with immutable data structures.
How to Choose: date-fns vs js-joda
  • date-fns: Choose date-fns if you prefer a lightweight, modular library that allows you to import only the functions you need, which can help reduce bundle size. It's ideal for projects that require straightforward date manipulation without the overhead of a full-fledged date library.
  • js-joda: Choose js-joda if you need a comprehensive and robust date and time library that adheres to the ISO-8601 standard. It is particularly useful for applications that require complex date and time calculations, time zones, and immutability.
Similar Npm Packages to date-fns

date-fns is a popular JavaScript library for manipulating and formatting dates. It provides a comprehensive set of functions that allow developers to work with dates in a functional programming style. With its modular approach, you can import only the functions you need, making it lightweight and efficient. date-fns is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for both small and large projects.

While date-fns is a powerful option for date manipulation, there are several alternatives in the JavaScript ecosystem that also provide date handling capabilities. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • datejs is a JavaScript library that provides a comprehensive set of date manipulation functions. It offers a simple and intuitive API for parsing, formatting, and manipulating dates. datejs is particularly useful for developers who need to work with various date formats and perform complex date calculations. However, it may not be as lightweight as some other libraries, making it more suitable for projects where extensive date manipulation is required.

  • dayjs is a minimalist JavaScript library that offers a simple and fast alternative to Moment.js. It has a similar API to Moment.js, making it easy to switch for those familiar with it. dayjs is designed to be small in size and provides a wide range of date manipulation functions. If you're looking for a lightweight library with a familiar API, dayjs is an excellent choice.

  • luxon is a powerful library for working with dates and times in JavaScript. It is built on the modern JavaScript Date API and provides a rich set of features for date manipulation, formatting, and time zone handling. luxon is particularly useful for applications that require robust time zone support and internationalization. If your project involves complex date and time requirements, luxon is a strong contender.

  • moment is one of the most well-known date manipulation libraries in the JavaScript ecosystem. It provides a comprehensive set of features for parsing, validating, manipulating, and formatting dates. However, it has become less favored in recent years due to its larger size and performance concerns compared to newer libraries. While moment is still widely used, developers are increasingly turning to lighter alternatives like date-fns and dayjs.

To see how date-fns compares with datejs, dayjs, luxon, and moment, check out the comparison: Comparing date-fns vs datejs vs dayjs vs luxon vs moment.

Similar Npm Packages to js-joda

js-joda is a modern JavaScript date and time library that provides a comprehensive API for working with dates and times in a way that is both intuitive and immutable. Inspired by the Java 8 Date and Time API, js-joda allows developers to handle date and time calculations, formatting, and parsing with ease. It is particularly useful for applications that require precise date and time operations, such as scheduling, time zone management, and complex date manipulations. With its focus on immutability and clear API design, js-joda helps prevent common pitfalls associated with date and time handling in JavaScript.

While js-joda offers a robust solution for date and time management, there are alternatives available that cater to different needs. One notable alternative is date-fns.

  • date-fns is a lightweight and modular date utility library that provides a comprehensive set of functions for manipulating and formatting dates in JavaScript. Unlike js-joda, which focuses on an immutable object-oriented approach, date-fns offers a functional programming style, allowing developers to import only the functions they need. This modular design helps keep bundle sizes small and improves performance. Date-fns is ideal for projects that require a simple and flexible solution for date manipulation without the overhead of a larger library.

To see how js-joda compares with date-fns, check out the comparison: Comparing js-joda vs date-fns.

README for date-fns

🔥️ NEW: date-fns v4.0 with first-class time zone support is out!

date-fns

date-fns provides the most comprehensive, yet simple and consistent toolset for manipulating JavaScript dates in a browser & Node.js

👉 Documentation

👉 Blog

It's like Lodash for dates

  • It has 200+ functions for all occasions.
  • Modular: Pick what you need. Works with webpack, Browserify, or Rollup and also supports tree-shaking.
  • Native dates: Uses existing native type. It doesn't extend core objects for safety's sake.
  • Immutable & Pure: Built using pure functions and always returns a new date instance.
  • TypeScript: The library is 100% TypeScript with brand-new handcrafted types.
  • I18n: Dozens of locales. Include only what you need.
  • and many more benefits
import { compareAsc, format } from "date-fns";

format(new Date(2014, 1, 11), "yyyy-MM-dd");
//=> '2014-02-11'

const dates = [
  new Date(1995, 6, 2),
  new Date(1987, 1, 11),
  new Date(1989, 6, 10),
];
dates.sort(compareAsc);
//=> [
//   Wed Feb 11 1987 00:00:00,
//   Mon Jul 10 1989 00:00:00,
//   Sun Jul 02 1995 00:00:00
// ]

The library is available as an npm package. To install the package run:

npm install date-fns --save

Docs

See date-fns.org for more details, API, and other docs.


License

MIT © Sasha Koss

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