Timestamp Converter
Understanding Epoch Time Conversion
What is Epoch Time?
Epoch time, also known as Unix time or POSIX time, is a system for describing points in time. It is the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch, which is 00:00:00 UTC on January 1, 1970 (not counting leap seconds).
Why Use Epoch Time?
Epoch time is widely used in computing systems because:
• It's a simple integer value that's easy to store and transmit
• It's timezone-independent, making it universal
• Calculations with time become straightforward arithmetic operations
• It avoids the complexities of time zones, daylight saving time, and calendar systems
Common Applications
Epoch timestamps are essential in many computing scenarios:
• Database systems for storing timestamps efficiently
• Log files to record event times precisely
• Programming languages for date/time manipulation
• APIs and data transmission formats like JSON
• Version control systems to track changes
Precision Levels
Epoch time can be represented in different precisions:
• Seconds: Most common format (10-digit number)
• Milliseconds: 13-digit number (common in JavaScript)
• Microseconds: 16-digit number (used in some systems)
• Nanoseconds: 19-digit number (high-precision requirements)