How do I compare two datetime intervals in PHP? - php

Question

I want to compare the interval of two datetimes to see if the interval is in the past, in the future or now.
$current_time = new DateTime();
$datetime1 = new DateTime('2018-03-17 18:25:00');
$datetime2 = new DateTime('2018-03-17 20:00:00');
if($current_time >= $datetime1 && $current_time <= $datetime2){
// now
} elseif($current_time >= $datetime1){
// past
} elseif($current_time <= $datetime1){
// future
}
EDIT:
Sorry, just realised posting my whole real code would make it easier for everyone.
The example above does work but it doesnt work when I loop thru the db using more than one interval from there
function interval(){
....
while($row = $result->fetch_assoc()){
$start_time = $row['start_time'];
$end_time = $row['end_time'];
$now = new DateTime();
$datetime1 = new DateTime($start_time);
$datetime2 = new DateTime($end_time);
if($now >= $datetime1 && $now <= $datetime2){
// now
}elseif($now < $datetime1 && $now < $datetime2){
// past
}elseif($now > $datetime1 && $now > $datetime2){
// future
}else{
// fail?
}
}
}

Answer 1

date returns a string. If you actually want to use a real DateTime object, then you need to do something like:
$now = new DateTime();
$other = new DateTime('2018-03-18 17:45:00'); //note: example made off the top of my head... value presented may not work
if ($now < $other) {
//do something
}
More information can, as always, be found in the PHP manual: https://secure.php.net/manual/en/class.datetime.php

Answer 2

As your dates are already string just compare them like that
$current_time = date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
$datetime1 = '2018-03-17 18:25:00';
$datetime2 = '2018-03-17 20:00:00';
if($current_time >= $datetime1 && $current_time <= $datetime2){
// now
} elseif($current_time >= $datetime1){
// past
} elseif($current_time <= $datetime1){
// future
}

Answer 3

Can you expand why your code isn't working as intended?
Below is how I would approach the question.
date_default_timezone_set('UTC');
$current_time = new DateTime();
$compareWith = new DateTime('2018-03-16 18:25:00');
if ($current_time >= $compareWith) {
//whatever your heart desires
}
else{
//whatever your heart desires
}