You want java.text.DateFormat . Create an appropriate instance of DateFormat. Use the parse() method to get a Date [some people prefer to go to bars]. Use getTime() on the Date object to get milliseconds.
Betty Rubble? Well, I would go with Betty... but I'd be thinking of Wilma.
To get a wish, you need a genie. To get a genie, you need a lamp. To get a lamp, you need a tiny ad: