How can one ensure consistency in date formats between form inputs and database storage to prevent errors in date retrieval and display?
To ensure consistency in date formats between form inputs and database storage, it is important to standardize the format used throughout the application. One way to achieve this is by using a specific date format (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD) for both input fields and database storage. This can prevent errors in date retrieval and display by ensuring that dates are consistently formatted and stored in a uniform manner.
// Set the default timezone
date_default_timezone_set('UTC');
// Convert the date from the input field to the desired format
$input_date = $_POST['date'];
$formatted_date = date('Y-m-d', strtotime($input_date));
// Store the formatted date in the database
$query = "INSERT INTO table_name (date_column) VALUES ('$formatted_date')";
// Execute the query