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Python Dates and Times in Python (2014) Dates and Times Timedelta Minute

Honestly super lost on this one. Time Delta Hell!

Not sure where to go after defining "minutes". I will for sure have to review the "Dates and Times in Python" videos... not getting it

minutes.py
import datetime
def minutes(datetime.datetime(), datetime.datetime())

1 Answer

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,457 Points

Hey matthew mahoney, let’s see if we can break it down. The challenge asks:

  • Write a function named minutes that takes two datetimes

Using date1 and date2 as the parameters, the signature would look like:

def minutes(date1, date2):
  • use timedelta.total_seconds() to get the number of seconds between them

A timedelta object is automatically returned as the result of subtracting two datetime objects. Using the .total_seconds() method on this result will give the number of seconds the two datetime objects differ.

  • return the number of rounded minutes

Straightforward math here converting from seconds to minutes, then round off to an integer.

  • hint: The first will always be older and the second newer. You'll need to subtract the first from the second.

datetime objects relate to posix time (the member of seconds since 1/1/1970. Older times (farther in the past) are lower numbers since they’re closer to 1/1/1970.

Post back if you need more help. Good luck!!!

Thanks! Brilliant help!

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,457 Points

If you get a negative result, keep in mind that the older date is lower value, so subtract the lower/earlier date from the higher/later date to get a positive result.

Or use your abs πŸ’ͺ! 🀣