ios - NSDateFormatter local date format issue -

i have nsdate, , need convert string.

usually use code:

    nsdateformatter *formatter = [[nsdateformatter alloc] init];     [formatter setdateformat:@"mm/dd/yyyy"];      nsstring *stringfromdate = [formatter stringfromdate:date];     return stringfromdate; 

but need show data according local date format. instance, in usa date starts month, in russia date starts day (@"dd/mm/yyyy"). , may there different way of separators in different countries: '/', '.' ',' '-'

what best approach this?

update (according jon skeet answer):

if specify nsdateformattermediumstyle date "4.9.2013", me it's better "04.09.2013". nsdateformattershortstyle doesn't neither. there way add zeroes ?

see date formatter guide gives advice this, suggesting set style rather calling setdateformat:

nsdateformatter makes easy format date using settings user configured in international preferences panel in system preferences. nsdateformatter style constants—nsdateformatternostyle, nsdateformattershortstyle, nsdateformattermediumstyle, nsdateformatterlongstyle, , nsdateformatterfullstyle—specify sets of attributes determine how date displayed according user’s preferences.

it gives listing showing example starting this:

nsdateformatter *dateformatter = [[nsdateformatter alloc] init]; [dateformatter setdatestyle:nsdateformattermediumstyle]; [dateformatter settimestyle:nsdateformatternostyle]; 

it sounds you'd want nsdateformattershortstyle instead though.

setdateformat use custom format. more advice same document:

there broadly speaking 2 situations in need use custom formats:

• for fixed format strings, internet dates.
• for user-visible elements don’t match of existing styles