RubyConf 2023 - Which Time Is It? by Joël Quenneville

Time is a Complex Concept

• Time has different meanings in English, and it’s important to think about which type of time you’re dealing with.
• Time of day is a simpler concept than date and time, and it’s often overlooked.

Date and Time are Not the Same

• Date and time are two separate concepts, and they interact with each other in complex ways.
• Date is a moment in time, while time is a duration.

Time of Day is a Specific Concept

• Time of day refers to a specific point in time, usually between 00:00 and 23:59.
• It’s a distinct concept from date and time, and it has its own set of rules and operations.

Math Operations on Time

• Adding time is not as simple as adding numbers, and different operations have different meanings.
• Subtracting time is also complex, and it depends on the resolution and the type of time involved.

Ruby’s Handling of Time

• Ruby’s Date and Time classes are limited in their handling of time, and they don’t provide a built-in way to work with time of day.
• Ruby’s DateTime class is more flexible, but it’s not designed for working with time of day.

Custom Solutions for Time of Day

• To solve the problem of working with time of day, you can create your own custom class or use a gem like time-of-day.
• This allows you to define your own operations and behaviors for working with time of day.

Importance of Understanding Time

• Understanding time is important for solving complex problems and avoiding errors.
• It’s a fundamental concept that can be difficult to wrap your head around, but it’s worth the effort.

Conclusion

• Time is a complex and nuanced concept that requires careful consideration.
• By understanding the different types of time and how they interact with each other, you can write more robust and accurate code.