# DateFormatSymbols
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
Summary:[Ctors](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#pubctors)\|[Methods](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#pubmethods)\|[Inherited Methods](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#inhmethods)
# DateFormatSymbols
`
public
class
DateFormatSymbols
`
`
extends `[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)`
``
implements
`[Cloneable](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Cloneable)`,
`[Serializable](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/io/Serializable)`
`
|---|-----------------------------|
| [java.lang.Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) ||
| ↳ | java.text.DateFormatSymbols |
*** ** * ** ***
`DateFormatSymbols`is a public class for encapsulating localizable date-time formatting data, such as the names of the months, the names of the days of the week, and the time zone data.`SimpleDateFormat`uses`DateFormatSymbols`to encapsulate this information.
Typically you shouldn't use`DateFormatSymbols`directly. Rather, you are encouraged to create a date-time formatter with the`DateFormat`class's factory methods:`getTimeInstance`,`getDateInstance`, or`getDateTimeInstance`. These methods automatically create a`DateFormatSymbols`for the formatter so that you don't have to. After the formatter is created, you may modify its format pattern using the`setPattern`method. For more information about creating formatters using`DateFormat`'s factory methods, see[DateFormat](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormat).
If you decide to create a date-time formatter with a specific format pattern for a specific locale, you can do so with:
>
> ```
> new SimpleDateFormat(aPattern, DateFormatSymbols.getInstance(aLocale)).
>
> ```
`DateFormatSymbols`objects are cloneable. When you obtain a`DateFormatSymbols`object, feel free to modify the date-time formatting data. For instance, you can replace the localized date-time format pattern characters with the ones that you feel easy to remember. Or you can change the representative cities to your favorite ones.
New`DateFormatSymbols`subclasses may be added to support`SimpleDateFormat`for date-time formatting for additional locales.
**See also:**
- [DateFormat](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormat)
- [SimpleDateFormat](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/SimpleDateFormat)
- [SimpleTimeZone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/SimpleTimeZone)
## Summary
| ### Public constructors ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---|
| ` `[DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#DateFormatSymbols())`() ` Construct a DateFormatSymbols object by loading format data from resources for the default[FORMAT](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale.Category#FORMAT)locale. |
| ` `[DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#DateFormatSymbols(java.util.Locale))`(`[Locale](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale)` locale) ` Construct a DateFormatSymbols object by loading format data from resources for the given locale. |
| ### Public methods ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ` `[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) | ` `[clone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#clone())`() ` Overrides Cloneable |
| ` boolean` | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` obj) ` Override equals |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getAmPmStrings](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getAmPmStrings())`() ` Gets ampm strings. |
| ` static `[Locale[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale) | ` `[getAvailableLocales](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getAvailableLocales())`() ` Returns an array of all locales for which the`getInstance`methods of this class can return localized instances. |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getEras](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getEras())`() ` Gets era strings. |
| ` static final `[DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols) | ` `[getInstance](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance())`() ` Gets the`DateFormatSymbols`instance for the default locale. |
| ` static final `[DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols) | ` `[getInstance](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance(java.util.Locale))`(`[Locale](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale)` locale) ` Gets the`DateFormatSymbols`instance for the specified locale. |
| ` `[String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getLocalPatternChars](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getLocalPatternChars())`() ` Gets localized date-time pattern characters. |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getMonths](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getMonths())`() ` Gets month strings. |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getShortMonths](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getShortMonths())`() ` Gets short month strings. |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getShortWeekdays](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getShortWeekdays())`() ` Gets short weekday strings. |
| ` `[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getWeekdays](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getWeekdays())`() ` Gets weekday strings. |
| ` `[String[][]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[getZoneStrings](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getZoneStrings())`() ` Gets time zone strings. |
| ` int` | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#hashCode())`() ` Override hashCode. |
| ` void` | ` `[setAmPmStrings](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setAmPmStrings(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newAmpms) ` Sets ampm strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setEras](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setEras(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newEras) ` Sets era strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setLocalPatternChars](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setLocalPatternChars(java.lang.String))`(`[String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newLocalPatternChars) ` Sets localized date-time pattern characters. |
| ` void` | ` `[setMonths](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setMonths(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newMonths) ` Sets month strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setShortMonths](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setShortMonths(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newShortMonths) ` Sets short month strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setShortWeekdays](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setShortWeekdays(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newShortWeekdays) ` Sets short weekday strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setWeekdays](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setWeekdays(java.lang.String[]))`(`[String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newWeekdays) ` Sets weekday strings. |
| ` void` | ` `[setZoneStrings](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setZoneStrings(java.lang.String[][]))`(`[String[][]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)` newZoneStrings) ` Sets time zone strings. |
| ### Inherited methods |
|-----------------------|---|
| From class` `[java.lang.Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` ` |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` `[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) | ` `[clone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#clone())`() ` Creates and returns a copy of this object. | | ` boolean` | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` obj) ` Indicates whether some other object is "equal to" this one. | | ` void` | ` `[finalize](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#finalize())`() ` Called by the garbage collector on an object when garbage collection determines that there are no more references to the object. | | ` final `[Class](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Class)`` | ` `[getClass](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#getClass())`() ` Returns the runtime class of this`Object`. | | ` int` | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#hashCode())`() ` Returns a hash code value for the object. | | ` final void` | ` `[notify](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#notify())`() ` Wakes up a single thread that is waiting on this object's monitor. | | ` final void` | ` `[notifyAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#notifyAll())`() ` Wakes up all threads that are waiting on this object's monitor. | | ` `[String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | ` `[toString](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#toString())`() ` Returns a string representation of the object. | | ` final void` | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait(long,%20int))`(long timeoutMillis, int nanos) ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*, or until a certain amount of real time has elapsed. | | ` final void` | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait(long))`(long timeoutMillis) ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*, or until a certain amount of real time has elapsed. | | ` final void` | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait())`() ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*. | ||
## Public constructors
### DateFormatSymbols
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public DateFormatSymbols ()
```
Construct a DateFormatSymbols object by loading format data from resources for the default[FORMAT](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale.Category#FORMAT)locale. It is recommended that the[getInstance](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance(java.util.Locale))method is used instead.
This is equivalent to calling[DateFormatSymbols(Locale.getDefault(Locale.Category.FORMAT))](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#DateFormatSymbols(java.util.Locale)).
| Throws ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [MissingResourceException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/MissingResourceException) | if the resources for the default locale cannot be found or cannot be loaded. |
**See also:**
- [getInstance()](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance())
- [Locale.getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category))
- [Locale.Category.FORMAT](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale.Category#FORMAT)
### DateFormatSymbols
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public DateFormatSymbols (Locale locale)
```
Construct a DateFormatSymbols object by loading format data from resources for the given locale. It is recommended that the[getInstance](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance(java.util.Locale))method is used instead.
| Parameters ||
|----------|-------------------------------------|
| `locale` | `Locale`: the desired locale
|
| Throws ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [MissingResourceException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/MissingResourceException) | if the resources for the specified locale cannot be found or cannot be loaded. |
**See also:**
- [getInstance(Locale)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance(java.util.Locale))
## Public methods
### clone
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public Object clone ()
```
Overrides Cloneable
| Returns ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| [Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) | a clone of this instance.
|
### equals
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public boolean equals (Object obj)
```
Override equals
| Parameters ||
|-------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| `obj` | `Object`: the reference object with which to compare.
|
| Returns ||
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this object is the same as the obj argument;`false`otherwise.
|
### getAmPmStrings
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getAmPmStrings ()
```
Gets ampm strings. For example: "AM" and "PM".
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the ampm strings.
|
### getAvailableLocales
Added in[API level 9](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public static Locale[] getAvailableLocales ()
```
Returns an array of all locales for which the`getInstance`methods of this class can return localized instances. It must contain at least a`Locale`instance equal to[Locale.US](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale#US).
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [Locale[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale) | An array of locales for which localized`DateFormatSymbols`instances are available.
|
### getEras
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getEras ()
```
Gets era strings. For example: "AD" and "BC".
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the era strings.
|
### getInstance
Added in[API level 9](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public static final DateFormatSymbols getInstance ()
```
Gets the`DateFormatSymbols`instance for the default locale.
This is equivalent to calling[getInstance(Locale.getDefault(Locale.Category.FORMAT))](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getInstance(java.util.Locale)).
| Returns ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| [DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols) | a`DateFormatSymbols`instance.
|
**See also:**
- [Locale.getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale#getDefault(java.util.Locale.Category))
- [Locale.Category.FORMAT](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Locale.Category#FORMAT)
### getInstance
Added in[API level 9](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public static final DateFormatSymbols getInstance (Locale locale)
```
Gets the`DateFormatSymbols`instance for the specified locale.
| Parameters ||
|----------|------------------------------------|
| `locale` | `Locale`: the given locale.
|
| Returns ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| [DateFormatSymbols](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols) | a`DateFormatSymbols`instance.
|
| Throws ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if`locale`is null |
### getLocalPatternChars
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String getLocalPatternChars ()
```
Gets localized date-time pattern characters. For example: 'u', 't', etc.
| Returns ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| [String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the localized date-time pattern characters.
|
### getMonths
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getMonths ()
```
Gets month strings. For example: "January", "February", etc. An array with either 12 or 13 elements will be returned depending on whether or not[Calendar.UNDECIMBER](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#UNDECIMBER)is supported. Use[Calendar.JANUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#JANUARY),[Calendar.FEBRUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#FEBRUARY), etc. to index the result array.
If the language requires different forms for formatting and stand-alone usages, this method returns month names in the formatting form. For example, the preferred month name for January in the Czech language is*ledna* in the formatting form, while it is*leden* in the stand-alone form. This method returns`"ledna"`in this case. Refer to the[Calendar Elements in the Unicode Locale Data Markup Language (LDML) specification](http://unicode.org/reports/tr35/#Calendar_Elements)for more details.
##### Implementation Requirements:
- This method returns 13 elements since[Calendar.UNDECIMBER](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#UNDECIMBER)is supported.
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the month strings.
|
### getShortMonths
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getShortMonths ()
```
Gets short month strings. For example: "Jan", "Feb", etc. An array with either 12 or 13 elements will be returned depending on whether or not[Calendar.UNDECIMBER](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#UNDECIMBER)is supported. Use[Calendar.JANUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#JANUARY),[Calendar.FEBRUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#FEBRUARY), etc. to index the result array.
If the language requires different forms for formatting and stand-alone usages, this method returns short month names in the formatting form. For example, the preferred abbreviation for January in the Catalan language is*de gen.* in the formatting form, while it is*gen.* in the stand-alone form. This method returns`"de gen."`in this case. Refer to the[Calendar Elements in the Unicode Locale Data Markup Language (LDML) specification](http://unicode.org/reports/tr35/#Calendar_Elements)for more details.
##### Implementation Requirements:
- This method returns 13 elements since[Calendar.UNDECIMBER](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#UNDECIMBER)is supported.
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the short month strings.
|
### getShortWeekdays
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getShortWeekdays ()
```
Gets short weekday strings. For example: "Sun", "Mon", etc.
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the short weekday strings. Use[Calendar.SUNDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#SUNDAY),[Calendar.MONDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#MONDAY), etc. to index the result array.
|
### getWeekdays
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[] getWeekdays ()
```
Gets weekday strings. For example: "Sunday", "Monday", etc.
| Returns ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [String[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the weekday strings. Use[Calendar.SUNDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#SUNDAY),[Calendar.MONDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#MONDAY), etc. to index the result array.
|
### getZoneStrings
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public String[][] getZoneStrings ()
```
Gets time zone strings. Use of this method is discouraged; use[TimeZone.getDisplayName()](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/TimeZone#getDisplayName())instead.
The value returned is a two-dimensional array of strings of size*n* by*m* , where*m* is at least 5. Each of the*n* rows is an entry containing the localized names for a single`TimeZone`. Each such row contains (with`i`ranging from 0..*n*-1):
- `zoneStrings[i][0]`- time zone ID
- `zoneStrings[i][1]`- long name of zone in standard time
- `zoneStrings[i][2]`- short name of zone in standard time
- `zoneStrings[i][3]`- long name of zone in daylight saving time
- `zoneStrings[i][4]`- short name of zone in daylight saving time
The zone ID is*not* localized; it's one of the valid IDs of the[TimeZone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/TimeZone)class that are not[custom IDs](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html#CustomID). All other entries are localized names. If a zone does not implement daylight saving time, the daylight saving time names should not be used.
If[setZoneStrings](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setZoneStrings(java.lang.String[][]))has been called on this`DateFormatSymbols`instance, then the strings provided by that call are returned. Otherwise, the returned array contains names provided by the runtime.
| Returns ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| [String[][]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String) | the time zone strings.
|
**See also:**
- [setZoneStrings(String[][])](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#setZoneStrings(java.lang.String[][]))
### hashCode
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public int hashCode ()
```
Override hashCode. Generates a hash code for the DateFormatSymbols object.
| Returns ||
|-------|-------------------------------------------|
| `int` | a hash code value for this object.
|
### setAmPmStrings
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setAmPmStrings (String[] newAmpms)
```
Sets ampm strings. For example: "AM" and "PM".
| Parameters ||
|------------|----------------------------------------|
| `newAmpms` | `String`: the new ampm strings.
|
### setEras
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setEras (String[] newEras)
```
Sets era strings. For example: "AD" and "BC".
| Parameters ||
|-----------|---------------------------------------|
| `newEras` | `String`: the new era strings.
|
### setLocalPatternChars
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setLocalPatternChars (String newLocalPatternChars)
```
Sets localized date-time pattern characters. For example: 'u', 't', etc.
| Parameters ||
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `newLocalPatternChars` | `String`: the new localized date-time pattern characters.
|
### setMonths
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setMonths (String[] newMonths)
```
Sets month strings. For example: "January", "February", etc.
| Parameters ||
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `newMonths` | `String`: the new month strings. The array should be indexed by[Calendar.JANUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#JANUARY),[Calendar.FEBRUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#FEBRUARY), etc.
|
### setShortMonths
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setShortMonths (String[] newShortMonths)
```
Sets short month strings. For example: "Jan", "Feb", etc.
| Parameters ||
|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `newShortMonths` | `String`: the new short month strings. The array should be indexed by[Calendar.JANUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#JANUARY),[Calendar.FEBRUARY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#FEBRUARY), etc.
|
### setShortWeekdays
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setShortWeekdays (String[] newShortWeekdays)
```
Sets short weekday strings. For example: "Sun", "Mon", etc.
| Parameters ||
|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `newShortWeekdays` | `String`: the new short weekday strings. The array should be indexed by[Calendar.SUNDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#SUNDAY),[Calendar.MONDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#MONDAY), etc.
|
### setWeekdays
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setWeekdays (String[] newWeekdays)
```
Sets weekday strings. For example: "Sunday", "Monday", etc.
| Parameters ||
|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `newWeekdays` | `String`: the new weekday strings. The array should be indexed by[Calendar.SUNDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#SUNDAY),[Calendar.MONDAY](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Calendar#MONDAY), etc.
|
### setZoneStrings
Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)
```
public void setZoneStrings (String[][] newZoneStrings)
```
Sets time zone strings. The argument must be a two-dimensional array of strings of size*n* by*m* , where*m* is at least 5. Each of the*n* rows is an entry containing the localized names for a single`TimeZone`. Each such row contains (with`i`ranging from 0..*n*-1):
- `zoneStrings[i][0]`- time zone ID
- `zoneStrings[i][1]`- long name of zone in standard time
- `zoneStrings[i][2]`- short name of zone in standard time
- `zoneStrings[i][3]`- long name of zone in daylight saving time
- `zoneStrings[i][4]`- short name of zone in daylight saving time
The zone ID is*not* localized; it's one of the valid IDs of the[TimeZone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/TimeZone)class that are not[custom IDs](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/TimeZone.html#CustomID). All other entries are localized names.
| Parameters ||
|------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| `newZoneStrings` | `String`: the new time zone strings.
|
| Throws ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| [IllegalArgumentException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/IllegalArgumentException) | if the length of any row in`newZoneStrings`is less than 5 |
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if`newZoneStrings`is null |
**See also:**
- [getZoneStrings()](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/text/DateFormatSymbols#getZoneStrings())