Use of Date Strings in Datawindow Filters

[StevenHB13]

In a number of datawindows in my application, users have access to a free-form text box where they can enter any filter string they like. Frequently, they will use a search term like:

date(last_updated_date) = 2010-10-22

I'm trying to update some documentation and have been asked to address this syntax in particular. So my question is, how does PowerBuilder know that "2010-10-22" is a date and what are the rules for including date literals like this one without specific conversion? Is it based upon the fact that the left-hand value is clearly a date datatype or is it based upon the particular date format used in "2010-10-22" or both?

 

[NESWalt]

Look up the Date function. You will have to convert the right side to a date in order for the comparison to work

Walt
IT Consulting for Robert Half

http://roberthalftechnology.com

 

[StevenHB13]

Thanks, Walt. I think that you misunderstand: the comparison works as-is. My question is why and what are the rules that allow it to work?

 

[mbalent]

Some of the rules are based on the Regional settings on the computer (see the Control Panel). I'm sure 2012-04-20 would work but 12-04-20 might not (although PB does 'guess' at the century for two digit years).

I've not seen a list of valid date formats for filters like yours.

Matt

"Nature forges everything on the anvil of time"

http://www.anvil-of-time.com