Replacing Date Fields

[Jackmetickler]

Trying to replace a date field using following 2 examples and I am getting "function argument value,type or account is invalid". I have SET DATE BRITISH AND SET CENTURY ON.

replace it_dteinv with DTOC(05/28/2010) FOR IT_DOC="DOC11320"
replace it_dteinv with dtoc(22/06/2010) FOR IT_DOC="DOC11249"

Any advice please?

 

[DSummZZZ]

You're just giving it invalid date values.
Try it this way instead:

replace it_dteinv with DTOC({^2010-05-28}) FOR IT_DOC="DOC11320"



-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[bborissov]

replace it_dteinv with "05/28/2010" FOR IT_DOC="DOC11320"
replace it_dteinv with "22/06/2010" FOR IT_DOC="DOC11249"

If you know the string value beforehand why use DTOC()?

The other way is to use DATE() function.

replace it_dteinv with DTOC(DATE(2010, 5, 28)) ;
        FOR IT_DOC="DOC11320"

and the BEST thing is to use DATE field to keep dates there.

Borislav Borissov
VFP9 SP2, SQL Server 2000,2005 & 2008.

 

[JRB-Bldr]

Since you are attempting to use the DTOC() function we must assume that the field it_dteinv is a Character field type.

If not, then you are using the wrong function.

If it is a Character type field, then the above suggestions should work well for you.

However, you state "Trying to replace a date field" which implies that the field is not a Character type field, but instead a Date type field.

If the field is indeed a Date type, then the above will not work. You would need to use something like:

REPLACE it_dteinv with CTOD('05/28/2010');
   FOR IT_DOC="DOC11320"

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[Mike Lewis]

Jackmetickler,

You've been given a lot of good advice. Just to add my small contribution:

You say you have SET DATE BRITISH. In that case, neither CTOD('05/28/2010') nor DTOC(05/28/2010) will give a valid result. You would have to reverse the month and day.

In general, it's better to use either the "unambiguous" date format:

{^2010-05-28}

or the DATE() function:

DATE(2010, 5, 28)

as these are independent of SET DATE or other formatting settings.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business

 

[Olaf Doschke]

If it_dteinv is a date field, you can't store a string into it. DTOC() does make a string from a date: (transform) D(ate) TO C(har).

You do use the DATE() function as suggested or replace it_dteinv with Ctod("05/28/2010") for example. 05/28/2010 is a date string and you need the inverse function creating a date from that string. But it's better not to use that syntax, as it fails if the date settings differ, you should use setting independant code like {^YYYY-MM-DD} or DATE(YYYY,MM,DD)

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Jackmetickler]

Gentlemen

Many thanks for all great advice. I am off-site today so I cannot test at moment but I will get back to you ASAP when I have chance. I am sure you have sorted problem.

Once again your assistance greatly appreciated.

Regards
Jack