android - How To See If One Date Is Newer Than Another -

hello think have simple question i'm having trouble figuring out.

i got date , time in android using code

string currentdatetimestring = dateformat.getdateinstance().format(new date()); 

it gave me value

apr 21, 2016 9:30:16 pm 

how compare using dates value if want see if

apr 21, 2016 9:30:16 pm 

is newer or older

apr 21, 2016 9:35:16 pm 

how check thanks

attempt one

i tried

dateformat format = new simpledateformat("mm-dd-yyyy", locale.english);             date filedate = format.parse(date1);  dateformat format2 = new simpledateformat("mm-dd-yyyy", locale.english);             date metadate = format.parse(date2); 

this value date 1 , 2 being

apr 21, 2016 9:35:16 pm 

but threw parse exception. must use value above need doesn't break code when tries parse date

the easiest way use date.before(), rather comparing strings. in fact easier convert string date use strings.