As we continue to develop innovative educational technology, it's crucial that we consider the nuances of time zones and formatting. In this case study, we'll explore how our team at Eli Review learned the hard way about the importance of app user experience when it comes to measuring time.
The Messiness of Measuring Time
Time is a fundamental aspect of human life, with humans keeping track of it for over 20,000 years. From horology to precision timekeeping, there's an entire field dedicated to understanding how we measure time. However, as we'll see, even something as seemingly straightforward as measuring time can be incredibly messy.
Formatting Time Values
When working with time data, two common formats stand out: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 8601. While UTC doesn't include time zone data, ISO 8601 can store an offset from UTC to account for different time zones.
Databases and Computing Time
When developing programs that deal with time, it's crucial to rely on libraries or plugins developed by experts who have dedicated their lives to understanding the complexities of time zones, leap years, historical changes, and leap seconds. Our app utilizes a MySQL database with specific rules for handling time data, including DATETIME and TIMESTAMP types.
The UX and UI of Time
The user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of time are critical aspects of any app that deals with time-sensitive information. By storing all time in UTC and localizing it for each user, we can ensure a seamless experience for users from different time zones.
Target keyword: app user experience