Creating a century window in QUIZ/QTP for PROMPT variables.

[Blair Combs]

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Bob Deskin wrote:
 
> Where did you here that the ADDCENTURY function would be changed? As 
> far as I know, there are no plans to change it in any version.

We spoke with techincal support about our difficulties with
the Year 2000 conversion process and they informed us of
this feature. Apparently, based on what we have been told,
this feature works on all platforms but MPE/iX. This does
not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling concerning the level of
support from Cognos for the MPE/iX platform.
 
> On the subject of changing data and dictionary options, when you're 
> making changes, if you're going to century included dates, then you'll 
> want to change the dictionary option immediately. Otherwise your date 
> functions won't work correctly with multiple centuries.
> 
> Bob Deskin

My understanding according to the PDL manual is that any
date of size 8 includes the century automatically and any 6
digit date has the century excluded. Therefore the system
option really only applies to the SYSDATE variable. Is this
not true?

The problem with changing the system option at the first is
that we have numerous programs utilizing SYSDATE expecting 6
digits. As we convert dates to 8 digits we use the
ADDCENTURY function to be able to place the programs back
into production right away. Converting dates 1 at a time
allows us to more easily manage a very large date conversion
process while at the same time continuing ongoing
maintenance of systems and their programs. 

The ADDCENTURY function makes this possible. Now with the
news concerning the reluctance of Cognos to correct this
problem in 7.29 (they have logged the problem but tell us
not to expect a correction) we will probably be forced to go
back into all programs utilizing ADDCENTURY to remove this
function as one of the final steps before changing the
system option to include century, costing us hundreds of
additional hours of work.

Are we going to have problems using this method of
conversion? You mention that date functions will not work
across centuries without the system option specifying
century included. Is this true even when a date function is
performed against an 8 digit date that includes the century?
Please let me know. I appreciate your insight.

TIA,

Blair Combs
Idaho State Unversity
combblai@isu.edu
208.236.2399

*************************

> ----------
> From:         Blair Combs[SMTP:combblai@isu.edu]
> Sent:         April 2, 1998 11:50 AM
> To:   	Deskin, Bob
> Cc:  		powerh-l@lists.swau.edu
> Subject:      Re: Creating a century window in QUIZ/QTP for PROMPT
> 		variables.
> 
> There is one item I thought should be mentioned here for the
> benefit of the MPE/iX community at least. There are still
> date related problems in version 7.29.C8 that Cognos seems
> to be taking lightly that will create serious problems for
> us and probably others.
> 
> As you go through your systems converting dates you will
> normally have a period of time when you will have some 8
> digit dates as well as 6 digit dates utilized within the
> same dictionary. I believe this to be very common. In this
> situation, if your SYSTEM OPTIONS specify CENTURY EXCLUDED,
> the SYSDATE variable will be incompatible with 8 digit dates
> included in your dictionary. Consequently, the use of the
> ADDCENTURY is required to convert the SYSDATE when working
> with an 8 digit date. ADDCENTURY will be required whenever
> you are working with two incompatible dates, one 8 digits
> and the other 6 digits.
> 
> We were all promised that the ADDCENTURY function would be
> enhanced in version 7.29.C8 for MPE/iX to recognize a date
> already includes the century and not attempt to add the
> century again in this case. We have been in the date
> conversion process now for two years with the expectation of
> this feature being available with this release. All our
> reprogramming has been along these lines. Now we are being
> told, "Sorry, we are not enhancing 7.29 any longer and you
> will have to wait for version 8.19 which should have this
> feature working correctly."
> 
> With the full release of 8.19 still months away Cognos is
> putting their MPE/iX customers (or are we the only ones) in
> a very difficult position. 
> Are we going to be forced into beta testing 8.19 with our
> production systems because Cognos did not keep their promise
> and are unwilling to correct the situation?
> 
> I would really appreciate a response from Cognos on these
> concerns posted here.
> 
> TIA,
> 
> Blair Combs
> Idaho State University
> 
> *********************
> 
> Deskin, Bob wrote:
> 
> << snip >>
>  
> > The complaint versions (with the problems fixed) are:
> > 
> > PowerHouse series 7
> > MPE/iX - 7.29.C8 and up
> > OpenVMS - 7.10.F2 and up
> > UNIX - 7.33.D3 and up, except for DG Intel which is 7.33.E2 and up
> > 
> > PowerHouse series 8
> > MPE/iX - 8.09.C and up
> > OpenVMS - 8.00.C1 and up
> > UNIX - 8.03.C1 and up
> > NT - 8.01.C1 and up
> > 
> > Any appropriately supported customer can get the compliant versions 
> > free of charge. Contact Customer Support or Cognos Direct.
> > 
> > Bob Deskin
> > ----------
>
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