Re: Date Field Printing

This problem was our first Service program or programs I guess

We made up several functions to handle the conversions

eval DATESTR =  FMTMDYYYY(DATE)    
*  mm/dd/yyyy returned   N/A returned if LOVAL  Month 2 M returned if
HIVAL or whatever

eval DATESTR = FMTMDY(DATE)   
*  mm/dd/yy returned   N/A if LOVAL   M 2 M if HIVAL   ErrorL if before
date window ErrorH if after Date window.

etc etc etc

Then output date.

in your prototype FMTMDYYYY you specify that it will take a date type as
a paramter and return a 10 char string

You then code any special handling you need in the function.  Call the
function every time you want to output a date and you will have a
consistent interface across all your software.  And it will be very easy
to update in the future

The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is how to put the
function call on a O spec so you don't need an extra variable.

Others on this list showed me how to setup the service module and I am
very thankful to them.

Joe Giusto wrote:
> 
> O.K.  Now that we have true date fields and have begun using them in our
> shop, we have come across an interesting problem.
> 
> In the old way, when printing dates which had not been entered yet,  nothing
> shows up because of zero suppression on the Y edit code.
> 
> Now the absence of a date is stored as 0001-01-01 and that's what prints in
> place of what used to be nothing (or blank).  It is confusing to the users
> and every time someone new sees it we have to explain it again.
> 
> I have begun testing date fields to be printed and using indicators (yuck)
> to condition the field to print or not print.
> 
> There's got to be a better way.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> 
> Thank you,
>
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