PHP - Calculate Number Of Hours Between 2 Dates

Submitted by razormist on Sunday, August 25, 2019 - 12:55.

In this tutorial we will create a Calculate Number Of Hours Between 2 Dates using PHP. This code can automatically calculate the the hours between the two when user provide the needed information. The code use PHP POST method to call a specific block of codes that calculate the two given dates by subtraction the future and present day. This is a user-friendly kind of program feel free to modify it. We will be using PHP as a scripting language and interpreter that is used primarily on any webserver including xamp, wamp, etc. It is being use to any famous websites and it has a modern technology that can easily be use by the next generation.

Getting Started:

First you have to download & install XAMPP or any local server that run PHP scripts. Here's the link for XAMPP server https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html. And, this is the link for the bootstrap that i used for the layout design https://getbootstrap.com/.

Creating The Interface

This is where we will create a simple form for our application. To create the forms simply copy and write it into your text editor, then save it as index.php.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
        <head>
                <meta charset="UTF-8" name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>
                <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/bootstrap.css"/>
        </head>
<body>
        <nav class="navbar navbar-default">
                <div class="container-fluid">
                        <a class="navbar-brand">Sourcecodester</a>
                </div>
        </nav>
        <div class="col-md-3"></div>
        <div class="col-md-6 well">
                <h3 class="text-primary">PHP - Calculate Number Of Hours Between 2 Dates</h3>
                <hr style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"/>
                <div class="col-md-2"></div>
                <div class="col-md-8">
                        <form action="" method="POST">
                                <div class="col-md-6">
                                        <div class="form-group">
                                                <label>Date 1</label>
                                                <input type="date" name="date1" class="form-control"/>
                                        </div>
                                </div>
                                <div class="col-md-6">
                                        <div class="form-group">
                                                <label>Date 2</label>
                                                <input type="date" name="date2" class="form-control"/>
                                        </div>
                                </div>
                                <center><button class="btn btn-primary" name="calculate">Calculate</button></center>
                        </form> 
                        <?php include 'date_calculator.php'?>
                </div>
        </div>
</body>
</html>

Creating the Main Function

This code contains the main function of the application. This code will calculate the hours between the two dates when the button is clicked. To make this just copy and write these block of codes below inside the text editor, then save it as date_calculator.php

<?php
        if(ISSET($_POST["calculate"])) {
                $date1 = strtotime($_POST['date1']);
                $date2 = strtotime($_POST['date2']);
                $diff = abs($date2 - $date1)/3600;
                
                echo "<center><h3>Total of <i class='text-primary'>".$diff."</i> number hours between 2 dates</h3></center>";           
        }
?>

There you have it we successfully created Calculate Number Of Hours Between 2 Dates using PHP. I hope that this simple tutorial help you to what you are looking for. For more updates and tutorials just kindly visit this site. Enjoy Coding!