extracttimestamp

extracttimestamp is a Python library designed to parse and extract timestamp information from various string formats. It aims to provide a flexible and robust solution for developers who need to handle dates and times represented as text, often found in log files, user input, or data feeds. The library supports a wide range of common timestamp patterns, including ISO 8601, RFC 3339, and various locale-specific formats.

The core functionality of extracttimestamp relies on pattern matching and heuristic analysis. It attempts to identify potential date and time components within a given string and then reconstructs them into a standardized datetime object. This process often involves inferring missing information, such as the year or time zone, based on common conventions or user-provided hints. The library is designed to be forgiving, handling minor inconsistencies or variations in the input string.

extracttimestamp can be particularly useful in data cleaning and preprocessing pipelines where timestamps may be inconsistently formatted. By automating the extraction process, it reduces the manual effort required to normalize date and time data. The library can be integrated into larger applications or used as a standalone utility for quick timestamp parsing. Its open-source nature allows for community contributions and further development to support an even wider array of temporal formats.