Date fields was: Quick question on indicators - more philosophical than anything else

I still see new tables created here with 8 digit dates instead of true
date fields. Really torks me when this same column needs a lot of
duration calculations and the first thing you always end up doing is
converting it to a date.

One person pointed out that certain numbers are useful for meaning things
like "no due date selected yet" and other special functions. I argue that
you could use a null date or reserve certain dates for restricted usage,
like a New Years date from 200 years ago means ...

And let's put some constraints on them. Like don't allow a birth date
more than 150-200 years ago.

Rob Berendt