Re: latest documentation for FMTDTA? specifying a "date" field?

Michael Rosinger wrote:

Is there a manual for FMTDTA that is newer than the 1994 version? I've searched the IBM site and can't seem to find one.

I don't think anything in FMTDTA has changed since then.

Also, is there a way to specify a "date" type of field that will allow you to specify a century window to FMTDTA so that you can correctly sort by date on fields that only have a 2-digit year?

No. You can get some ideas about workarounds by reading Y2K posts. Most everybody enlarged their date fields to at least include a century indicator digit so that 0991231 would sort before 1000101.

If you want to use an addrout sort, you may be best served by creating a work file with an 'expanded date' field at the end. Load that with an HLL program that uses a window to figure out the century indication. Sort that field on the end. The HLL program that reads this can still use the current file layout without changes (because your larger date field is after all the currently defined fields.)

If you are using a tag-along sort, you can try several sorts and a CPYF. The first sort goes to a temporary file and includes 'dates' between say 999999 and 499999. The second goes to a second temporary file and includes 000000 through 500000. Then CPYF them to your real work file that the HLL program needs.

Just some thoughts.
--buck