Timestamp
A timestamp is a sequence of characters or encoded information that represents a specific point in time, typically used to record when an event occurred. It is fundamental in computing for logging, data synchronization, versioning, and time-based operations. Timestamps are often stored in standardized formats like Unix time (seconds since 1970-01-01) or ISO 8601 (e.g., 2023-10-05T14:30:00Z) to ensure consistency across systems.
Developers should learn timestamp usage for accurate event tracking, debugging, and data integrity in applications such as logging systems, databases, and distributed systems. It is essential for use cases like audit trails, scheduling tasks, measuring performance, and handling time-sensitive data, ensuring reliable temporal ordering and compliance with regulations. Mastering timestamps helps avoid common pitfalls like timezone confusion and leap second issues.