root@generate-random:~/timestamps/python$ _

Generate Random Timestamps in Python

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[ Code Example - Quick Summary ]

Language: Python

What: Generate random Unix timestamps in Python using time.time() and random.randint(). Covers current time, past/future timestamps, and formatting for testing.

Try it: Use our interactive Timestamps generator or integrate this code into your Python application.

Generate random Unix timestamps in Python using time.time() and random.randint(). Covers current time, past/future timestamps, and formatting for testing. Looking for other languages? Check our code examples in PHP , JavaScript , Java , C# , C++ , Ruby and Go or use our interactive web generator.

Python Code Example

import random
import time
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

# Generate current Unix timestamp
def current_timestamp():
    return int(time.time())

# Generate random timestamp between two dates
def random_timestamp(start_date, end_date):
    start = datetime.strptime(start_date, "%Y-%m-%d").timestamp()
    end = datetime.strptime(end_date, "%Y-%m-%d").timestamp()
    return int(random.uniform(start, end))

# Generate random past timestamp (within N days)
def random_past_timestamp(days_ago=365):
    now = time.time()
    seconds = days_ago * 86400
    return int(random.uniform(now - seconds, now))

# Generate random future timestamp (within N days)
def random_future_timestamp(days_ahead=365):
    now = time.time()
    seconds = days_ahead * 86400
    return int(random.uniform(now, now + seconds))

# Convert timestamp to readable format
def format_timestamp(timestamp, fmt="%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"):
    return datetime.fromtimestamp(timestamp).strftime(fmt)

# Generate multiple random timestamps
def generate_timestamps(count=10, start_date="2020-01-01", end_date="2024-12-31"):
    return [random_timestamp(start_date, end_date) for _ in range(count)]

print(f"Current: {current_timestamp()}")
print(f"Random: {random_timestamp('2023-01-01', '2024-12-31')}")
past = random_past_timestamp(30)
print(f"Past: {past} ({format_timestamp(past)})")
future = random_future_timestamp(30)
print(f"Future: {future} ({format_timestamp(future)})")
print(f"Batch: {\", \".join(map(str, generate_timestamps(3)))}")

[EXPLANATION]

Python time.time() returns current Unix timestamp as float (seconds with decimals). datetime.timestamp() converts datetime objects to timestamps. random.uniform() generates float in range. int() converts to integer timestamps. datetime.fromtimestamp() converts back to datetime. strftime() formats for display. Use datetime.utcfromtimestamp() for UTC time.

Expected Output

Current: 1703001234
Random: 1698765432
Past: 1700445678 (2023-11-19 14:27:58)
Future: 1706123456 (2024-01-24 18:10:56)
Batch: 1680123456, 1685432100, 1692345678