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Python Dates and Times in Python (2014) Let's Build a Timed Quiz App Timestamp Ordering

Posted by Andrew McLane
Andrew McLane
3,385 Points

Timestamps

I don't understand Timestamps, and I can't find any video where we went over them.

I've read about timestamps in the docs but when the docs explain timestamps its as if they assume you already know about timestamps.

Can someone explain? Thanks!

timestamp.py 
# If you need help, look up datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp()
# Also, remember that you *will not* know how many timestamps
# are coming in.

1 Answer

Logan R
Logan R
22,989 Points
Logan R
Logan R
22,989 Points

Hi!

A POSIX timestamp is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970. It's used as a way to try and standardized time from a fixed point.

The list he is passing to you would just be a list of floats, IE: [3484545.454, 144546.34345]

You can read more about the POSIX timestamp here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time

You are right, he does just kind of glaze over what a timestamp is.