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# CFDateGetAbsoluteTime(_:)

Returns a `CFDate` object’s absolute time.

```
func CFDateGetAbsoluteTime(_ theDate: CFDate!) -> CFAbsoluteTime
```

## Parameters

`theDate`

The date to examine.

## Return Value

The absolute time of `theDate`.

## Discussion

Absolute time is measured in seconds relative to the absolute reference date of Jan 1 2001 00:00:00 GMT. A positive value represents a date after the reference date, a negative value represents a date before it. For example, the absolute time -32940326 is equivalent to December 16th, 1999 at 17:54:34.

---

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