[SOLVED] time()

[supanoob]

I am trying to use time() to see when so many seconds have past since a last action. However when i use time() i get the following 1217191386 .

 

If there a way to turn that into the correct time?

[thebadbad]

Just save the seconds returned by time() when the action happens, and then do a subtraction to see how long ago it happened:

 

<?php
$saved_time = 1217191386; //e.g.
$diff = time() - $saved_time;
echo "Action happened $diff seconds ago.";
?>

[supanoob]

yeah i have but when i save them they go into the database in a correct format eg: HH:MM:SS

[Nhoj]

<?php
$time = time();
$hms = date('H:i:s', $time);

echo $hms;
?>

 

http://us3.php.net/manual/en/function.date.php

[supanoob]

Thanks, still doesnt allow me to see if the new actions was at least 30 seconds after the first one, but never mind, thanks.

[GingerRobot]

Well, you'll need to do a comparison then won't you? You'll need both times in the form of integers. So you'll have to use strtotime()/mktime() to convert your dates to unix timestamps.

 

If you're trying to do it in a mysql query, use the mysql UNIX_TIMESTAMP() function.

 

Perhaps if you explain your situation more fully, we'll be able to give you more help.

[thebadbad]

So an action never happened the previous day? If no, you can convert the HH:MM:SS format to a timestamp with strtotime(). The function assumes the provided time is today, so we won't need to supply todays date:

 

<?php
$saved_time = '12:00:00';
$time = strtotime($saved_time);
$diff = time() - $time;
echo "Action happened $diff seconds ago.";
?>

[supanoob]

Well basically i have a forum, i want to make it so each person can post once every 30 seconds. I have the persons last post time saved into the db, i then want to compare both the current time and last post time to see if 30 seconds has passed yet. if not i want to say so and stop the post being made.

[supanoob]

So an action never happened the previous day? If no, you can convert the HH:MM:SS format to a timestamp with strtotime(). The function assumes the provided time is today, so we won't need to supply todays date:

 

<?php
$saved_time = '12:00:00';
$time = strtotime($saved_time);
$diff = time() - $time;
echo "Action happened $diff seconds ago.";
?>

 

That has sorted it, thanks alot.

 

Topic solved

[thebadbad]

But if a user's latest post was made some day in the past (will happen all the time, obviously), you'll need to save the date also. Or simply the timestamp.

[supanoob]

But if a user's latest post was made some day in the past (will happen all the time, obviously), you'll need to save the date also. Or simply the timestamp.

 

yeah i do, when a post is made the time is saved. I think i see what you mean.