title: How to compare two dates in String format?
body: <p>What is the easiest way to compare two dates in String format? I would need to know if <code>date1</code> comes after/before <code>date2</code>.</p>
  
  <pre><code>String date1 = "2015-12-01";
  String date2 = "2015-12-31";
  </code></pre>