creationTime

CreationTime is a timestamp associated with an entity that indicates when it was originally created. It is used as metadata for files, records, or objects in software systems and is distinct from modification time, which reflects changes, and access time, which records reads.

In file systems, creation time records the moment a file or directory was created. Some Unix-like systems historically did not store a true creation time, relying instead on change time (ctime) and modification time (mtime). Modern file systems such as NTFS, APFS, and newer ext4 implementations preserve a birth or creation timestamp, though the availability and accuracy of this value can vary across systems, tools, and backups.

In databases and applications, a creationTime field tracks when a row or object was created. It is often populated automatically with a default value such as the current timestamp on insert, stored in a consistent time zone (commonly UTC), and, once set, is typically not updated to preserve historical accuracy. This metadata supports auditing, sorting, and retention policies.

Representation and standards vary. Common forms include ISO 8601 strings, Unix epoch seconds, or native datetime types. Time zone handling is important; storing times in UTC and converting for display helps avoid inconsistencies across regions.

Limitations and considerations include clock drift, time zone changes, and system migrations that can affect accuracy. Backups, replication, and data imports may preserve or alter creation times. Privacy and security aspects may also arise, as creationTime can reveal when content was produced or captured.

See also: lastModified, lastAccessed, birthTime, timestamp, metadata.