Q58791: DATEVALUE# Function in BASIC 7.00 Uses MM-DD-YY, Not DD-MM-YY

Article: Q58791
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 7.00 7.10 | 7.00 7.10
Operating System(s): MS-DOS | OS/2
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | docerr | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 8-JAN-1991

The DATEVALUE# function that comes in the Date/Time Library of
Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System (PDS) Version 7.00
does not interpret dates in the form of "dd/mm/yy" or "dd-mm-yy,"
where the day number precedes the month number (dd stands for day, mm
stands for month, and yy stands for year). Instead, the DATEVALUE#
function interprets dates in the form of "mm/dd/yy" or "mm-dd-yy,"
where the month number precedes the day number. For example, you get
"Illegal Function Call" (error 5) when passing "30/12/88" or
"30-12-88" to the DATEVALUE# function.

Both Page 427 of the "Microsoft BASIC 7.0: Language Reference" manual
(for 7.00 and 7.10) and also the "HELP: DateValue# Function Details"
screen in the Microsoft Advisor online Help system in QBX.EXE
incorrectly state that "30/12/88" is one of the acceptable formats.
This should be changed to say that "12/30/88" ("mm/dd/yy") format is
accepted by the DATEVALUE# function.

Also, the "HELP: DateValue# Function Details" screen in the Microsoft
Advisor online Help system in QBX.EXE incorrectly states: "To use
DateValue# in the QBX environment, use the FINANCER.QLB Quick
library." This should be changed to say the DTFMTER.QLB Quick library.
(Page 427 of the reference manual correctly says to use DTFMTER.QLB in
QBX.)

This information applies to Microsoft BASIC Professional Development
System (PDS) versions 7.00 and 7.10 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

If you want to give the date before the month, you can use the name of
the month instead of the numeric representation of the month.

The following are not accepted ("Illegal Function Call"):

   B# = DateValue# ("30-12-88")
   B# = DateValue# ("30/12/88")

The following are accepted (the workaround is to use the spelled
instead of the numeric month):

   B# = DateValue# ("30-Dec-88")
   B# = DateValue# ("30/Dec/88")

The following are accepted (but month, day, and year must be in
order):

   B# = DateValue# ("12-30-88")
   B# = DateValue# ("12/30/88")
   B# = DateValue# ("December 30, 1988")

DateValue# accepts dates between January 1, 1753, and December 31,
2078.

Complete Code Example
---------------------

You can run this program with QBX /L DTFMTER.QLB, or link with the
appropriate DTFMTxx.LIB file if making an .EXE program:

   REM $INCLUDE: 'DATIM.BI'
   d$ = "30-Dec-88"
   PRINT DateValue#(d$)   ' Prints 32507
   d$ = "12/30/88"
   PRINT DateValue#(d$)   ' Prints 32507

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.