20240501T123456Z

20240501T123456Z is a timestamp expressed in the ISO 8601 basic format. It encodes a specific instant in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by using the letter Z to indicate zero offset. The letter T separates the calendar date from the time of day.

In this value, 2024 is the year, 05 the month, 01 the day, and 12:34:56 the time in hours, minutes, and seconds. When interpreted, it corresponds to May 1, 2024 at 12:34:56 UTC. The basic format omits separators; the extended form would be 2024-05-01T12:34:56Z.

Usage of this notation is common in data interchange, logs, APIs, and configuration files to provide a precise, timezone-neutral moment. Its lexical order matches chronological order, aiding sorting and indexing, and the Z suffix removes ambiguity arising from time zone differences.

Parsing and handling of this timestamp are broadly supported across programming languages. Many languages accept the basic ISO 8601 form or provide normalization to the extended form if required. When converting to local time, the offset must be applied, which can yield different local times depending on the time zone and daylight saving rules. Some systems may include additional precision, such as milliseconds, which would require minor adjustments to parsing logic.

Overall, 20240501T123456Z exemplifies a compact, unambiguous representation of a moment in time, suitable for cross-system coordination and precise timekeeping.