# arrow

> Better dates & times for Python

**Wikidata**: [Q100153863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100153863)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arrow-q100153863

## Summary
Arrow is an open-source Python library designed to simplify date and time handling in Python, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface compared to built-in modules. Released under the Apache Software License 2.0, it is maintained on GitHub and documented on ReadTheDocs.

## Key Facts
- **Open-source software** with permissive licensing, allowing free use and redistribution.
- **Python package** for better date and time management, first released in 2015 (version 0.4.5).
- **Depends on** the `python_dateutil` library for additional date manipulation features.
- **Hosted on** GitHub at [arrow-py/arrow](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow).
- **Documented on** [ReadTheDocs](https://arrow.readthedocs.io/en/stable/).
- **Used by** release-monitoring, an upstream release monitoring project.
- **Available on** package managers like Arch Linux and openSUSE.
- **Latest stable version** is 0.11.0, released on December 12, 2018.

## FAQs
### Q: What problem does Arrow solve in Python?
A: Arrow simplifies date and time operations in Python by providing a more intuitive API compared to the standard library, making it easier to handle time zones, arithmetic, and formatting.

### Q: Is Arrow compatible with Python's built-in datetime module?
A: Yes, Arrow integrates with Python's `datetime` module but offers additional features like human-readable parsing and timezone support.

### Q: How do I install Arrow?
A: You can install Arrow via pip using the command `pip install arrow`.

### Q: Who maintains Arrow?
A: Arrow is maintained by the open-source community on GitHub under the [arrow-py/arrow](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow) repository.

### Q: What license does Arrow use?
A: Arrow is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, allowing free use and modification.

## Why It Matters
Arrow addresses a common pain point in Python development: handling dates and times efficiently. While Python's built-in `datetime` module is powerful, it can be cumbersome for everyday tasks like parsing, formatting, and timezone conversions. Arrow provides a more intuitive and concise API, reducing boilerplate code and improving readability. Its integration with `python_dateutil` further extends its functionality, making it a popular choice for developers who need reliable date and time operations. By simplifying these operations, Arrow helps streamline development workflows and reduces errors related to date handling. Its open-source nature ensures accessibility and community-driven improvements, making it a valuable tool in the Python ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Simplified API**: Offers a more intuitive interface than Python's native `datetime` module.
- **Timezone Support**: Easily handles timezone conversions and arithmetic.
- **Human-Readable Parsing**: Supports parsing dates from strings in a flexible way.
- **Integration with `python_dateutil`**: Extends functionality beyond basic date operations.
- **Active Development**: Regular updates and maintenance ensure compatibility with newer Python versions.

## Body
### Overview
Arrow is a Python library designed to simplify date and time operations. It was created to address the complexity of Python's built-in `datetime` module, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly API. The project is open-source and licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, making it freely available for use and modification.

### Development and Releases
Arrow was first released in 2015 with version 0.4.5. Subsequent releases included bug fixes and feature enhancements, with the latest stable version being 0.11.0, released on December 12, 2018. The project is hosted on GitHub and documented on ReadTheDocs, ensuring accessibility and clear usage instructions.

### Dependencies
Arrow relies on the `python_dateutil` library for additional date manipulation capabilities. This dependency allows Arrow to handle more complex date operations while maintaining simplicity in its core functionality.

### Availability
Arrow is available on various package managers, including Arch Linux and openSUSE, making it easy to install and integrate into different development environments. It is also used by release-monitoring, a cross-distribution upstream release monitoring project, indicating its reliability and adoption in broader software ecosystems.

### Community and Maintenance
Arrow is maintained by the open-source community, with contributions and updates managed on GitHub. The project's permissive license encourages collaboration and customization, ensuring its relevance in the Python ecosystem.

## References

1. [Release 0.4.5. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.4.5)
2. [Release 0.5.0. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.5.0)
3. [Release 0.5.1. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.5.1)
4. [Release 0.5.2. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.5.2)
5. [Release 0.5.3. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.5.3)
6. [Release 0.5.4. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.5.4)
7. [Release 0.6.0. 2015](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.6.0)
8. [Release 0.9.0. 2016](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.9.0)
9. [Release 0.10.0. 2016](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.10.0)
10. [Release 0.11.0. 2018](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.11.0)
11. [Release 0.12.0. 2018](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.12.0)
12. [Release 0.12.1. 2018](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.12.1)
13. [Release 0.13.0. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.13.0)
14. [Release 0.13.1. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.13.1)
15. [Release 0.13.2. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.13.2)
16. [Release 0.14.0. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.0)
17. [Release 0.14.1. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.1)
18. [Release 0.14.2. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.2)
19. [Release 0.14.3. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.3)
20. [Release 0.14.4. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.4)
21. [Release 0.14.5. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.5)
22. [Release 0.14.6. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.6)
23. [Release 0.14.7. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.14.7)
24. [Release 0.15.0. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.0)
25. [Release 0.15.1. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.1)
26. [Release 0.15.2. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.2)
27. [Release 0.15.3. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.3)
28. [Release 0.15.4. 2019](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.4)
29. [Release 0.15.5. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.5)
30. [Release 0.15.6. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.6)
31. [Release 0.15.7. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.7)
32. [Release 0.15.8. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.15.8)
33. [Release 0.16.0. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.16.0)
34. [Release 0.17.0. 2020](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/0.17.0)
35. [Release 1.0.0. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.0.0)
36. [Release 1.0.1. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.0.1)
37. [Release 1.0.2. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.0.2)
38. [Release 1.0.3. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.0.3)
39. [Release 1.1.0. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.1.0)
40. [Release 1.1.1. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.1.1)
41. [Release 1.2.0. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.2.0)
42. [Release 1.2.1. 2021](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.2.1)
43. [Release 1.2.2. 2022](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.2.2)
44. [Release 1.2.3. 2023](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.2.3)
45. [Release 1.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.3.0)
46. [Release 1.4.0. 2025](https://github.com/arrow-py/arrow/releases/tag/1.4.0)
47. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/arrow-py/arrow)