code: public static Date getDateFromString(final String dateString, final String pattern) {
  
      try {
        SimpleDateFormat df = buildDateFormat(pattern);
        return df.parse(dateString);
      } catch (ParseException e) {
        throw new DateException(String.format("Could not parse %s with pattern %s.", dateString,
          pattern), e);
      }
    }
docs: Get data from data string using the given pattern and the default date
  format symbols for the default locale.
  
  @param dateString date string to be handled.
  @param pattern pattern to be formated.
  @return a new Date object by given date string and pattern.
  @throws DateException