Microsoft KB Archive/96347

{| = PRB: DTOC Output Erroneous If Invalid Date Is Used =
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ID: Q96347

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5 and 2.5a
 * Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5a

SYMPTOMS
The DTOC function does not report on the validity of the date being processed. An incorrect entry of a date being used for comparison can result in unexplainable, erroneous results.

CAUSE
The DTOC function processes date type information into a character string. An invalid date results in a blank date without any warning; for example:

STORE DTOC({06/30/92}) TO badate.

? badate && Note '06/30/92' will be displayed

STORE DTOC({06/31/92}) TO badate

? badate && Note ' / / ' will be displayed Although this example illustrates that FoxPro knows June does not have 31 days, FoxPro returns blanks instead of giving a warning message. This can cause unexpected results in selecting records when DTOC results are being used for comparison.

RESOLUTION
Whenever a report, query, or other output results in ALL records being output and a DTOC function was being used for comparison, check the validity of the date in the DTOC function by also checking for blank dates.

Additional reference words: FoxDos FoxWin 2.00 2.50 2.50a every day month KBCategory: kbprg kbprb KBSubcategory: FxprgGeneral
 * }