How to convert Datetime to Unix timestamp in Vala

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    void main () {
        // Create a DateTime object from a specific date and time (2010-09-16 23:24:43)
        GLib.DateTime date = GLib.DateTime.new_local(2010, 9, 16, 23, 24, 43);
    
        // Convert DateTime to Unix timestamp
        int64 unix_timestamp = date.to_unix();
    
        print("Unix Timestamp: %" + int64.FORMAT + "\n", unix_timestamp);
    }

Output:

Unix Timestamp: 1284679483

Example only. There may be multiple ways to perform this operation.

Code Explanation

In this example of date to Unix timestamp in Vala GLib.DateTime.new_local(2010, 9, 16, 23, 24, 43) creates a DateTime object representing the date '2010-09-16 23:24:43' in the local time zone. Subsequently date.to_unix() converts the DateTime object to a Unix timestamp. The result is printed using print.

Convert Unix timestamp to Date in Vala

Other useful Vala date functions (GLib.DateTime)

Function	Description	Example
`GLib.DateTime.new_from_unix_local()`	Creates a `DateTime` object from a Unix timestamp, interpreted as local time.	`GLib.DateTime.new_from_unix_local(1514764800)` returns 2018-01-01 00:00:00
`GLib.DateTime.to_unix()`	Converts a `DateTime` object to a Unix timestamp.	`date.to_unix()` returns 1531656645
`GLib.DateTime.new_local()`	Creates a new `DateTime` object with the specified date and time in the local time zone.	`GLib.DateTime.new_local(2018, 7, 15, 12, 30, 45)` creates the 2018-07-15 12:30:45 date.
`GLib.DateTime.format()`	Formats a `DateTime` object as a string according to a specified format.	`date.format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")` returns 2018-07-15 12:30:45
`GLib.DateTime.now_local()`	Returns the current date and time as a `DateTime` object in the local time zone.	`GLib.DateTime.now_local()` returns the current date and time.

Current Unix Timestamp SECONDS SINCE JAN 01 1970

Current UTC Time

2025-08-21