CA2230752A1 - System and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates - Google Patents
System and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates Download PDFInfo
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- CA2230752A1 CA2230752A1 CA002230752A CA2230752A CA2230752A1 CA 2230752 A1 CA2230752 A1 CA 2230752A1 CA 002230752 A CA002230752 A CA 002230752A CA 2230752 A CA2230752 A CA 2230752A CA 2230752 A1 CA2230752 A1 CA 2230752A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/70—Software maintenance or management
- G06F8/78—Methods to solve the "Year 2000" [Y2K] problem
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99931—Database or file accessing
- Y10S707/99937—Sorting
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S715/00—Data processing: presentation processing of document, operator interface processing, and screen saver display processing
- Y10S715/961—Operator interface with visual structure or function dictated by intended use
- Y10S715/963—Calendar or scheduling
Abstract
A system and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates. The system includes: a computer and a routine for searching for a subtraction (20), comparison and sort operations on the computer involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates. The subtraction operation (24) is executed to obtain a difference value between two quantities. A negative difference value is verified (26) and a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100 is added to the negative difference value (28, 29) so that the subtraction operation yields a correct result for two digit quantities representing years greater than or equal to the year 2000. A similar routine is added to existing computer code involving compare and/or sort operations.
Description
W O9~ 711 PCTAUS97/10843 CORR~CTING COMPUTER OPIERATIONS INVOLVING l-WO DIGIT YE~AR DATES
FIh,T,l) OF IlWF,l~TION
A system for identit'ying and correcting erroneous computer operations resultingfrom the use of two digits to represent year dates thereby ad~ressin~ the "millennium" or ''year 2000" problem.
BACKGROUND OF INVFNII~)N
In the early days of computer pro~ g, two digit year dates were used for the year in order to conserve ~l~t~h~ce memory space. For example, April 4, 1962 is typically stored as 620404, not 19620404. This format is still oRen used today. A problem alternately called '~the millennium problem". ~'the year 2000 problem", "the year 2000 challenge" and/or "the year 2000 phenomena, exists with these two-digit year date fields in that on or after January 1, 2000. computer operations involving subtraction, sorting, and comparisons will yield incorrect results. For example, a culll~uL~l operation that requires the subtraction of the year 1998 from the year 2002 should yield the result of 4. Since only two digits. i.e. the 98 and the 02 are stored in computer memory, however, subtracting 98 from 02 will yield the incorrect result of -96. As for in sorting and comparison operations. 1998 will incorrectly be computed to be after or greater than 2002 since 98 is greater than 02.
In another example. a person with a birthday of l~ovember 10, 1965 will be considered to be -65 years old rather than 35 years old on November 10th, 2000 if the years 1965 and 2000 are represented by 65 and 00, respectively. Most applicationprograms do not expect a sign value and will therefore ignore the negative sign. Thus, in this example, the negative 65 might be interpreted as the absolute value 65. Not only is this value still incorrect, it is even less detectable than the incorrect value of negative 65.
Further, if such incorrect data is stored in a .l~t~b~c~ it is considered a data integrity exposure.
b If nothing is done to solve the year 2000 problem, the stock exchanges will yield invalid transactions, credit card companies will refuse most transactions because card holders will appear to be delinquen~ on their payments, mortgage companies will automatically issue delinquency notices in error charging borrowers with extra interest, and utility ulmr~ni~s will likely cut off service to many customers due to apparent late billing payments.
S~ UIIt~11E~ 21~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W O 98100777 PCT~US97/10843 Moreover, the year 2000 problem is a problem today. Forecasting applications that deal with future dates will encounter problems well in advance of the year 2000. For example, financial applications that deal with life insurance or bond policies that have expiration dates that go beyond the year 2000 must be f1xed now to prevent incorrect policy expiration ~lcul~tions.
The year 2000 is not a haLdwale clock problem that can be resolved by computer vendors. The problem stems mostly from application programs and data using two digits for year ,c~l~senL,1tions even though the hardware clock and or system timer service can provide a four digit format. The problem occurs on main frame systems and/or legacy applications but also affects any type of co~ uL~ d file, database, or log entry with two digit year fields.
Some effort has been made to address the year 2000 problem. For example, IBM
has issued the third edition of the guide book "The Year 2000 and Two-Digit Dates: A
Guide For Planning and Inlerpretation and Implementation'' (May, 1996). This guide book, over 200 pages long, teaches information system managers and system and applicatiori prograrnmers how to add two more digits to every two year date field in all a firm's databases and application programs. See also "Beating The Clock: How to Assess Your Year 2000 Conversion Effort"; Kearney, Information Week, April 15, 1996, pages 66-7 1 .
The main problem with this approach is the time inv,olved. At a great expense, computer prograrnmers must search for each date field in each program and in each ~b~e and manually add two digits to what appears to be a date field whether it needs to be changed or not. The revised programs and tl~t~haces must then be tested. It is probably already too late to actually complete this arduous task for large ~ h~L~es and large programs before the year 2000 using prior art methodologies.
Another problem is that when two extra digits are added, additional memory is required. Sti!,l another problem is that computer programmers do not always characterize dates in a straight forward manner. It may be relatively straight forward to find fields in a ~i~t~-h~L~e called "date" or "time". Programmers, however, often use other non-mP~ningful terms, e.g., "X1", "ALPHA", "YB" and the like for dates. If these date fields are not found and corrected, all the errors associated with the year 2000 problem will still occur. And, programmers may use "date" or "year" as variable names (e.g., "year-to-date") which are not actually dates or years. The problem is further compounded ~W~illllllt~ llLE~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 in that different high level progr~mmin~ languages, e.g. COBOL, FORT~AN, and BASIC, have quite dirrt;lell~ formats for ar}thmetic and sorting operations.
SUMM~RY OF llNVF,l~TIOI~
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a more efficient system and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two-digit year date fields re~ardless of the application progr:~mming language used or the f~3t~h~e program used.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require a search for all the date fields in existing computer databases and application programs .
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require the use of additional computer database memory.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system which works correctly regardless of the variable names assigned to the date field.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require excessive man hours for implementation and testing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be implemented automatically regardless of the computer language used.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which accurately and efficiently solves the year 2000 problem.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be quickly understood and implemented.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not involve changing a company's existing databases.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which has the ability to change and test one application program at a time.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which ., can be easily and quickly tested for accuracy.
This invention results from the realization that the year 2000 problem with respect - 30 to certain computer operations involving two digit year formats stored in computer databases and processes can be efficiently solved, not by adding extra digits to every two digit database entry, but by modifying a subset of computer operations ~e.g. subtraction, SU~ Ul~SIIEET~
CA 022307',2 1998-02-27 W 098100777 PCT~US97/10843 sorting, and comparison) to force a correct result. The invention does not require severe increases in memory because extra digits are never added to the existing two digit year formats and yet the invention renders the correct result when Cu~ L~ operations involving subtraction, sorting and comparison are executed. The invention applies to all computer languages and is easily implemented in an existing application through the use of a unique routine that ~ntom~tir~lly adds corrective c~ ul~l instructions to the code of the existing application.
This invention features a system for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates. One computer operation to be corrected is the subtraction operation. The system includes a computer; means, operable on the computer, for searching for a subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit qn~ntities representing year dates; means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between the two quantities; means for verifying a negative difference value; and means, responsive to the means for verifying, for adding to the difference value a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
The subtraction operation usually includes computer instructions in existing computer code and the means for adding includes means for inserting a first new computer instruction in the existing computer code after the subtraction operation. This first new computer instruction adds a plurality of two digit numbers to the difference value. The means for verifying typically also includes means for inserting a second new computer instruction between the existing computer code and the first new computer instruction for executing the first new instruction only if the difference value is negative.
This invention also features a system for correcting computer comparison operations involving two digit year dates. There are means, operable on the computer, for searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, means for adding a number (e.g, 90) or combination of numbers (e.g., 80+10) large enough to all the two digit qn~ntitiec such that two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 is increased to greater than 100 but is truncated to two digits, effectively decreasing the two digit year value by 10 (e.g., 100 minus 90) and two digit numbers le~l~,sell~illg a year equal to or greater than 2000 is increased to no greater than 100; and means for executing the comparison operation. Typically, the system further includes means for adding a second number (e.g., 10) or a second combination of num'oers (e.g., 5+5) to all the two digit qll~ntities after the comparison Sll~ S~ L~ ~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W O~ CI// PCT~U~97110843 operation is ex-oc~lt~d7 the sum of the first number (or the fïrst combination of numbers) and the second number (or the second combination of numbers) being 100. The first number or combination of numbers may be between 80 and 90 to correct comparison operations concerning the years spanning a 99 year range. ~Jsing 90 provides correction for dates between 1910 and 2009 and using 80 provides correction for dates between 1920-2019.
In a broader sense, the invention features a system for correcting CO~ JU~
operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising: means, operable on a cu~ uL~l, for searching for a computer ~ dl~ ing operation in an application program involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and means for inserting colll~uL~l instructions in the application program, the computer instructions including an arithmetic r outine for changing the value of the two digit quantities to correct the computer progr~mmin~ operation. The prior art, in contrast, involves a change to the databases Cont~ining the two digit year qll~ntiti~s.
If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, the means for inserting computer instructions includes: means for verifyin,~ a negative difference value when the subtraction operation is executed and means, responsive to the means for verifying, for adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
If the computer operation is a comparison operation, the means for inserting computer instructions include means for adding a first nun1ber or first combination of numbers less than 100 to all the two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed. The cu~ r instructions further add a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit qll~ntjti~s after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100. The first number or combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing a year before the year 200û is increased to greater than 100 but is truncated to two digits, effectively decreasing the two digit year value by 100 minus the number or combination of numbers and when added to two digit h quantities representing a year equal to or greater than 2000, results in a number no greater than 100.
- This invention also features a system for correcting cornputer subtraction operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising: a computer having computer code including at least one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit qll~ntitit~s CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 WO 98/00777 PCTnUS97/10843 representing year dates; means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between the two qll~ntitiPs; means for verifying a negative difference value; and a computer instruction, inserted within the code, including means for adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
S For comparison operations, the system comprises: a conlpllL~l having computer code including at least one comparison operation involving a plurality of t~vo digit quantities representing year dates; and a compueer instruction, inserted within the code, including means for decreasing all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
This invention also features a method for correcting COII1IJUL~1 code including subtraction operations involving two digit year dates. the method c~ isillg: Co-~uL~ed searching for subtraction operations in computer code involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates; executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between the two qn~n~it;~; and adding, to all negative difference values, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100. For comparison operations, the method comprises: computerized searching for a comparison operation involving a ~lurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all the two digit qn~ntiti~s such that the two digit number representing a year before the year 2000 is decreased and increased for years 2000 and beyond; and executing the comparison operation on acomputer. In a preferred embodiment, this method further includes adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100. If the first number or first combination of numbers is between 80 and 90, comparison operations concerning years spanning a 99 year range are corrected.
- More broadly, the method for correcting computer code includes searching for COlllpuLt:l operations involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and inserting computer instructions in the computer code, the computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for rh~nging the value of the two digit q~ ntiti~s to correct the computer operation. If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, the step of inserting computer instructions includes: verifying a negative dirr~l~nce value when the subtraction operation is executed~ and adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers t ~EI~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCTnUS97/10843 whose sum is 100. If the co~ uL~l operation is a comparison operation, the step of inserting CO~ )ULel instructions includes adding a first number less than 100 to all the two digit qn~ntiti~os before the colllpalisoll operation is executed. The method further includes adding a second number to all two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed. the first number and the second number totaling 100. The first num~er or firs~
combination of numbers, when added to two digit qu~ntiti~c representing the year before the year 2000, result in a number equal to the year reduced by 100 minus the first number or combination of numbers, and the first number or first combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing a year equal to or greater than the year 2000, should result in a number equal to the year plus the first number or combination of numbers producing a result less than 100.
This invention also t'eatures a method for correcting computer code including atleast one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates. the method comprising: executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a di~ference value between the two quantities; verifying a negative difference value;
and inserting a cu,l,~uL~r instruction which adds, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
For comparison operations involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, the method features inserting a computer instruction in the compu~er code which decreases all two di~it numbers representing a year before the year 2000 and increases years 2000 and beyond before the comparison operation is executed. The step of inserting includes adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all the two digit q~l~nrities and adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit qn~ntiti~os after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100.
A method for correcting computer operations involving two digit qll~ntiti~c yeardates in accordance with this invention includes inserting a computer instruction which ,~ includes an arithmetic routine for changing the value of the two digit qn~ntiti~s to correct the computer operation. If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, and the ~ inserted computer instruction adds, to a difference value between two such two digit quantities~ a plurality of two digit nulllbel~ whose sum is 100. If the computer operation includes a comparison operation, the computer instruction decreases all two digit numbers ~I~TI~IITE $~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 representing a year before the year 2000 and increases all two digit numbers Lc~l.,st;l~Lillg years equal to or greater than the year 200 before the comparison operation is executed.
One computer instruction adds a first number or a first combination of numbers to all the IWO digit qn~ntiti~s before the comparison operation is executed and another computer 5instruction adds a second number or a second combination of numbers to all the two digit quantities after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of nulllb~
totaling 100.
DI~CLOSUR~, OF PREFl~RED EMRODIMI~NT
10Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
E;ig. 1 is a schematic view of the system of this invention for correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates;
15Fig. 2 is a flow chart depicting the method of correcting computer subtractionoperations in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting conlL~u comparison and sort operations in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 4 is a flow chart depicting one prior art method of solving the year 2000 20problem;
Fig. 5 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of correcting computersubtraction operations in the COBOL computer language in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 6 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting COBOL compute operations; and 25Fig. 7 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting COBOL compare operations.
System 10, Fig. 1, of this invention includes colllpulel or computer network 12 including one or more 11~qt~h~.~eS such as ~l~t~h~e 14 cont~inin~ names, (NAME) year of birth (YB) and social security number (SSN). Computer 12 is an IBM or IBM compatible 30or ~ Apple" stand alone desk top computer. or IBM or other main frame computer or mini-colll~,uLer, or even a llli~lv~ cessor or a network of personal and/or mainframe colnL~ulel:i or a client-server network. Operating on computer 12, as is known in the art, are various S~T~ S~ 2~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCTrUS97/10843 application programs written in various high level programming languages such asCOBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, and the like. Database 14 is often created using a collLmel~;ially available ~ t~b~ce program such as IMS, DB2, dBase. Lotus 1,2,3 or similar software.
As ~ cll~sed in the Background of the Invention above, after January 1, 2000, colll~uler operations involving subtraction, sorting, or comparison of dates in date field 16 of database 14 will often yield incorrect results. For example, on January 1, 2002 Shirley's age will be c~ r~rl thus: 02-98 = -96 For programs that do not expect a sign value, ~he negative sign will be ignored and negative 96 will be interpreted as the absolute value 96. Not only is this value incorrect, it is even less detectable than the incorrect value of negative 96.
In accordance with this invention, however. a search is made for all such subtraction operations, s~ep 20, Fig. 2. The variables involved in this subtraction operation are then changed to signed variables, step 22. So. for example, in the COBOL
computer language, a subtraction operation in an application program may be: "compute age = yc - yb" where yc is the current year (e.g. 2002) and yb is the year of birth (e.g.
98). The variable "age" is changed to a sign variable and the subtraction operation is then executed, step 24, resulting in age = 02-98= -96, since only a two digit year date is stored in database 14, Fig. 1. When the difference is less than 0, step 26, 50 is added to the difference resulting in -46. step 28 and then 50 is agaill added to this result, step 29 resulting in the correct answer of ~. The number 50 is twice added to the difference because adding 100 to a two digit number cannot be accomplished as easily since only two digits are normally computed and stored for the number 100, namely 00.
Although in this example, 50 is added twice to the dirference, any two numbers or any plurality of numbers totaling I00 could be added to the difference with the same effect e.g. 50 + 10 + 40; 10 + 20 + 25 + 45; 16 + 32 + 11 + 11 + 30. Processing then continues as shown to search for the next subtraction operation. This routine can be impl~mPnt~d automatically for all of a cOl"~ally's computer code in a program which will " then automatically evaluate each piece of existing code and add the routine depicted in Fig.
FIh,T,l) OF IlWF,l~TION
A system for identit'ying and correcting erroneous computer operations resultingfrom the use of two digits to represent year dates thereby ad~ressin~ the "millennium" or ''year 2000" problem.
BACKGROUND OF INVFNII~)N
In the early days of computer pro~ g, two digit year dates were used for the year in order to conserve ~l~t~h~ce memory space. For example, April 4, 1962 is typically stored as 620404, not 19620404. This format is still oRen used today. A problem alternately called '~the millennium problem". ~'the year 2000 problem", "the year 2000 challenge" and/or "the year 2000 phenomena, exists with these two-digit year date fields in that on or after January 1, 2000. computer operations involving subtraction, sorting, and comparisons will yield incorrect results. For example, a culll~uL~l operation that requires the subtraction of the year 1998 from the year 2002 should yield the result of 4. Since only two digits. i.e. the 98 and the 02 are stored in computer memory, however, subtracting 98 from 02 will yield the incorrect result of -96. As for in sorting and comparison operations. 1998 will incorrectly be computed to be after or greater than 2002 since 98 is greater than 02.
In another example. a person with a birthday of l~ovember 10, 1965 will be considered to be -65 years old rather than 35 years old on November 10th, 2000 if the years 1965 and 2000 are represented by 65 and 00, respectively. Most applicationprograms do not expect a sign value and will therefore ignore the negative sign. Thus, in this example, the negative 65 might be interpreted as the absolute value 65. Not only is this value still incorrect, it is even less detectable than the incorrect value of negative 65.
Further, if such incorrect data is stored in a .l~t~b~c~ it is considered a data integrity exposure.
b If nothing is done to solve the year 2000 problem, the stock exchanges will yield invalid transactions, credit card companies will refuse most transactions because card holders will appear to be delinquen~ on their payments, mortgage companies will automatically issue delinquency notices in error charging borrowers with extra interest, and utility ulmr~ni~s will likely cut off service to many customers due to apparent late billing payments.
S~ UIIt~11E~ 21~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W O 98100777 PCT~US97/10843 Moreover, the year 2000 problem is a problem today. Forecasting applications that deal with future dates will encounter problems well in advance of the year 2000. For example, financial applications that deal with life insurance or bond policies that have expiration dates that go beyond the year 2000 must be f1xed now to prevent incorrect policy expiration ~lcul~tions.
The year 2000 is not a haLdwale clock problem that can be resolved by computer vendors. The problem stems mostly from application programs and data using two digits for year ,c~l~senL,1tions even though the hardware clock and or system timer service can provide a four digit format. The problem occurs on main frame systems and/or legacy applications but also affects any type of co~ uL~ d file, database, or log entry with two digit year fields.
Some effort has been made to address the year 2000 problem. For example, IBM
has issued the third edition of the guide book "The Year 2000 and Two-Digit Dates: A
Guide For Planning and Inlerpretation and Implementation'' (May, 1996). This guide book, over 200 pages long, teaches information system managers and system and applicatiori prograrnmers how to add two more digits to every two year date field in all a firm's databases and application programs. See also "Beating The Clock: How to Assess Your Year 2000 Conversion Effort"; Kearney, Information Week, April 15, 1996, pages 66-7 1 .
The main problem with this approach is the time inv,olved. At a great expense, computer prograrnmers must search for each date field in each program and in each ~b~e and manually add two digits to what appears to be a date field whether it needs to be changed or not. The revised programs and tl~t~haces must then be tested. It is probably already too late to actually complete this arduous task for large ~ h~L~es and large programs before the year 2000 using prior art methodologies.
Another problem is that when two extra digits are added, additional memory is required. Sti!,l another problem is that computer programmers do not always characterize dates in a straight forward manner. It may be relatively straight forward to find fields in a ~i~t~-h~L~e called "date" or "time". Programmers, however, often use other non-mP~ningful terms, e.g., "X1", "ALPHA", "YB" and the like for dates. If these date fields are not found and corrected, all the errors associated with the year 2000 problem will still occur. And, programmers may use "date" or "year" as variable names (e.g., "year-to-date") which are not actually dates or years. The problem is further compounded ~W~illllllt~ llLE~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 in that different high level progr~mmin~ languages, e.g. COBOL, FORT~AN, and BASIC, have quite dirrt;lell~ formats for ar}thmetic and sorting operations.
SUMM~RY OF llNVF,l~TIOI~
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a more efficient system and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two-digit year date fields re~ardless of the application progr:~mming language used or the f~3t~h~e program used.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require a search for all the date fields in existing computer databases and application programs .
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require the use of additional computer database memory.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system which works correctly regardless of the variable names assigned to the date field.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not require excessive man hours for implementation and testing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be implemented automatically regardless of the computer language used.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which accurately and efficiently solves the year 2000 problem.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be quickly understood and implemented.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which does not involve changing a company's existing databases.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which has the ability to change and test one application program at a time.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which ., can be easily and quickly tested for accuracy.
This invention results from the realization that the year 2000 problem with respect - 30 to certain computer operations involving two digit year formats stored in computer databases and processes can be efficiently solved, not by adding extra digits to every two digit database entry, but by modifying a subset of computer operations ~e.g. subtraction, SU~ Ul~SIIEET~
CA 022307',2 1998-02-27 W 098100777 PCT~US97/10843 sorting, and comparison) to force a correct result. The invention does not require severe increases in memory because extra digits are never added to the existing two digit year formats and yet the invention renders the correct result when Cu~ L~ operations involving subtraction, sorting and comparison are executed. The invention applies to all computer languages and is easily implemented in an existing application through the use of a unique routine that ~ntom~tir~lly adds corrective c~ ul~l instructions to the code of the existing application.
This invention features a system for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates. One computer operation to be corrected is the subtraction operation. The system includes a computer; means, operable on the computer, for searching for a subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit qn~ntities representing year dates; means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between the two quantities; means for verifying a negative difference value; and means, responsive to the means for verifying, for adding to the difference value a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
The subtraction operation usually includes computer instructions in existing computer code and the means for adding includes means for inserting a first new computer instruction in the existing computer code after the subtraction operation. This first new computer instruction adds a plurality of two digit numbers to the difference value. The means for verifying typically also includes means for inserting a second new computer instruction between the existing computer code and the first new computer instruction for executing the first new instruction only if the difference value is negative.
This invention also features a system for correcting computer comparison operations involving two digit year dates. There are means, operable on the computer, for searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, means for adding a number (e.g, 90) or combination of numbers (e.g., 80+10) large enough to all the two digit qn~ntitiec such that two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 is increased to greater than 100 but is truncated to two digits, effectively decreasing the two digit year value by 10 (e.g., 100 minus 90) and two digit numbers le~l~,sell~illg a year equal to or greater than 2000 is increased to no greater than 100; and means for executing the comparison operation. Typically, the system further includes means for adding a second number (e.g., 10) or a second combination of num'oers (e.g., 5+5) to all the two digit qll~ntities after the comparison Sll~ S~ L~ ~) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W O~ CI// PCT~U~97110843 operation is ex-oc~lt~d7 the sum of the first number (or the fïrst combination of numbers) and the second number (or the second combination of numbers) being 100. The first number or combination of numbers may be between 80 and 90 to correct comparison operations concerning the years spanning a 99 year range. ~Jsing 90 provides correction for dates between 1910 and 2009 and using 80 provides correction for dates between 1920-2019.
In a broader sense, the invention features a system for correcting CO~ JU~
operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising: means, operable on a cu~ uL~l, for searching for a computer ~ dl~ ing operation in an application program involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and means for inserting colll~uL~l instructions in the application program, the computer instructions including an arithmetic r outine for changing the value of the two digit quantities to correct the computer progr~mmin~ operation. The prior art, in contrast, involves a change to the databases Cont~ining the two digit year qll~ntiti~s.
If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, the means for inserting computer instructions includes: means for verifyin,~ a negative difference value when the subtraction operation is executed and means, responsive to the means for verifying, for adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
If the computer operation is a comparison operation, the means for inserting computer instructions include means for adding a first nun1ber or first combination of numbers less than 100 to all the two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed. The cu~ r instructions further add a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit qll~ntjti~s after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100. The first number or combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing a year before the year 200û is increased to greater than 100 but is truncated to two digits, effectively decreasing the two digit year value by 100 minus the number or combination of numbers and when added to two digit h quantities representing a year equal to or greater than 2000, results in a number no greater than 100.
- This invention also features a system for correcting cornputer subtraction operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising: a computer having computer code including at least one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit qll~ntitit~s CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 WO 98/00777 PCTnUS97/10843 representing year dates; means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between the two qll~ntitiPs; means for verifying a negative difference value; and a computer instruction, inserted within the code, including means for adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
S For comparison operations, the system comprises: a conlpllL~l having computer code including at least one comparison operation involving a plurality of t~vo digit quantities representing year dates; and a compueer instruction, inserted within the code, including means for decreasing all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
This invention also features a method for correcting COII1IJUL~1 code including subtraction operations involving two digit year dates. the method c~ isillg: Co-~uL~ed searching for subtraction operations in computer code involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates; executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between the two qn~n~it;~; and adding, to all negative difference values, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100. For comparison operations, the method comprises: computerized searching for a comparison operation involving a ~lurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all the two digit qn~ntiti~s such that the two digit number representing a year before the year 2000 is decreased and increased for years 2000 and beyond; and executing the comparison operation on acomputer. In a preferred embodiment, this method further includes adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100. If the first number or first combination of numbers is between 80 and 90, comparison operations concerning years spanning a 99 year range are corrected.
- More broadly, the method for correcting computer code includes searching for COlllpuLt:l operations involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and inserting computer instructions in the computer code, the computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for rh~nging the value of the two digit q~ ntiti~s to correct the computer operation. If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, the step of inserting computer instructions includes: verifying a negative dirr~l~nce value when the subtraction operation is executed~ and adding, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers t ~EI~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCTnUS97/10843 whose sum is 100. If the co~ uL~l operation is a comparison operation, the step of inserting CO~ )ULel instructions includes adding a first number less than 100 to all the two digit qn~ntiti~os before the colllpalisoll operation is executed. The method further includes adding a second number to all two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed. the first number and the second number totaling 100. The first num~er or firs~
combination of numbers, when added to two digit qu~ntiti~c representing the year before the year 2000, result in a number equal to the year reduced by 100 minus the first number or combination of numbers, and the first number or first combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing a year equal to or greater than the year 2000, should result in a number equal to the year plus the first number or combination of numbers producing a result less than 100.
This invention also t'eatures a method for correcting computer code including atleast one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates. the method comprising: executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a di~ference value between the two quantities; verifying a negative difference value;
and inserting a cu,l,~uL~r instruction which adds, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
For comparison operations involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, the method features inserting a computer instruction in the compu~er code which decreases all two di~it numbers representing a year before the year 2000 and increases years 2000 and beyond before the comparison operation is executed. The step of inserting includes adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all the two digit q~l~nrities and adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all the two digit qn~ntiti~os after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100.
A method for correcting computer operations involving two digit qll~ntiti~c yeardates in accordance with this invention includes inserting a computer instruction which ,~ includes an arithmetic routine for changing the value of the two digit qn~ntiti~s to correct the computer operation. If the computer operation is a subtraction operation, and the ~ inserted computer instruction adds, to a difference value between two such two digit quantities~ a plurality of two digit nulllbel~ whose sum is 100. If the computer operation includes a comparison operation, the computer instruction decreases all two digit numbers ~I~TI~IITE $~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 representing a year before the year 2000 and increases all two digit numbers Lc~l.,st;l~Lillg years equal to or greater than the year 200 before the comparison operation is executed.
One computer instruction adds a first number or a first combination of numbers to all the IWO digit qn~ntiti~s before the comparison operation is executed and another computer 5instruction adds a second number or a second combination of numbers to all the two digit quantities after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of nulllb~
totaling 100.
DI~CLOSUR~, OF PREFl~RED EMRODIMI~NT
10Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
E;ig. 1 is a schematic view of the system of this invention for correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates;
15Fig. 2 is a flow chart depicting the method of correcting computer subtractionoperations in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting conlL~u comparison and sort operations in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 4 is a flow chart depicting one prior art method of solving the year 2000 20problem;
Fig. 5 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of correcting computersubtraction operations in the COBOL computer language in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 6 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting COBOL compute operations; and 25Fig. 7 is a more detailed flow chart depicting the method of this invention for correcting COBOL compare operations.
System 10, Fig. 1, of this invention includes colllpulel or computer network 12 including one or more 11~qt~h~.~eS such as ~l~t~h~e 14 cont~inin~ names, (NAME) year of birth (YB) and social security number (SSN). Computer 12 is an IBM or IBM compatible 30or ~ Apple" stand alone desk top computer. or IBM or other main frame computer or mini-colll~,uLer, or even a llli~lv~ cessor or a network of personal and/or mainframe colnL~ulel:i or a client-server network. Operating on computer 12, as is known in the art, are various S~T~ S~ 2~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCTrUS97/10843 application programs written in various high level programming languages such asCOBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, and the like. Database 14 is often created using a collLmel~;ially available ~ t~b~ce program such as IMS, DB2, dBase. Lotus 1,2,3 or similar software.
As ~ cll~sed in the Background of the Invention above, after January 1, 2000, colll~uler operations involving subtraction, sorting, or comparison of dates in date field 16 of database 14 will often yield incorrect results. For example, on January 1, 2002 Shirley's age will be c~ r~rl thus: 02-98 = -96 For programs that do not expect a sign value, ~he negative sign will be ignored and negative 96 will be interpreted as the absolute value 96. Not only is this value incorrect, it is even less detectable than the incorrect value of negative 96.
In accordance with this invention, however. a search is made for all such subtraction operations, s~ep 20, Fig. 2. The variables involved in this subtraction operation are then changed to signed variables, step 22. So. for example, in the COBOL
computer language, a subtraction operation in an application program may be: "compute age = yc - yb" where yc is the current year (e.g. 2002) and yb is the year of birth (e.g.
98). The variable "age" is changed to a sign variable and the subtraction operation is then executed, step 24, resulting in age = 02-98= -96, since only a two digit year date is stored in database 14, Fig. 1. When the difference is less than 0, step 26, 50 is added to the difference resulting in -46. step 28 and then 50 is agaill added to this result, step 29 resulting in the correct answer of ~. The number 50 is twice added to the difference because adding 100 to a two digit number cannot be accomplished as easily since only two digits are normally computed and stored for the number 100, namely 00.
Although in this example, 50 is added twice to the dirference, any two numbers or any plurality of numbers totaling I00 could be added to the difference with the same effect e.g. 50 + 10 + 40; 10 + 20 + 25 + 45; 16 + 32 + 11 + 11 + 30. Processing then continues as shown to search for the next subtraction operation. This routine can be impl~mPnt~d automatically for all of a cOl"~ally's computer code in a program which will " then automatically evaluate each piece of existing code and add the routine depicted in Fig.
2 after each subtraction operation found in the search. Any general purpose editor such as the "Revolve" program available from Microfocus, Inc. of Palo Alto, California may be used to implement such a program.
~ ull~8~E~ L~ 3 CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 Note that ~ tlb~ce 14, Fig. 1 was not changed or affected in any way and extra digits were not added to the year date field 16, Fig. 1. Thus, no additional memory is required and the variable name ("e.g. YB") assigned to the year in question is irrelevant.
Accordingly, no search need be made to find all the variable names assigned to year date fields. This is because the method of this invention focuses on the subtraction operation of the application program and not ~t~h~.ce 14. Properly implemented programs which add the lines of code as described above can be made to operate automatically elimin~ting the excessive man hours and testing required to add additional digits to database 14. In addition, the logic structure of the application program is not affected.
For comparison and sorting operations~ a search is made for the comparison and sort operations in each application program, step 30, Fig. 3. For example, Smith, Jones and Shirley may be sorted by year of birth and ~ h~.~e 14 reveals that Smith was born in 2002? Jones was born in 1970. and Shirley was born in 199~. The correct sort is Jones (1970). Shirley (1998), Smith (2002). Since, however, database 14 only stores the year of birth in a two digit format. the application would incorrectly sort Smith first (02), then Jones (70), and then Shirley (98).
However, in this inventiom using modulo arithmetic. a number less than 100 (e.g., 90) or piurality of llulllbel~, adding to less than 100 (e.g., 80+10) is added to each variable to be sorted or compared~ step 32~ so that Smith's new two digit year code is 92, Jones' is (1)60 and Shirley's is (1)88. Sorting operations on the two digit representation of these numbers will then correctly sort, Jones (60), Shirley (88), and Smith (92), step 34. After the sort operation is executed. 10 is now added to each variable, step 36~ to replace the correct year two digit code in the ~l~t~h~ce. Thus, Jones' two digit year code is returned to 70, Shirley's is returned to 98, and Smith's is returned to 02 to m:lin~in the integrity of the database information.
Although the number 90 is used in this example, any number may be used such thatwhen the number is added to the lowest two digit year date in the field of dates to be sorted below the year 2000, the result is greater than 100 (even though thc third digit is not truncated and recognized by the colllL,uLt:l), which is equivalent to decreasing all two digit numbers representing years below the year 2000 by a quantity equal to I00 minus the number (or combination of numbers which equal the number (e.g., 90)). In addition, the number~ when added to the highest year greater than the year 2000, must produce a result less than 100. In this way, all post-year 2000 dates are not increased to a number greater EE~ q~8UL~ 26) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098100777 PCTrUS97/10843 than 100. So, adding 90 allows waiting until the year 2009 before a given sort routine will need to be modified again. Adding 80 and testing for the current year to be less than 20 allows waiting until the year 2019. For example, if the m:lmber added is 90, comparison operations concerning a span of 99 years (e.g., the years 19I0-2009) will be corrected.
Although a sort operation is shown in the example described above, sort operations and comparison operations are analogous since a sort operation is merely an implementation of a number of comparison operations. Accordingly, Pig. 3 is a general flow chart depicting the method of this invention for both sort and comparison computer operations. Therefore, ' comparison" operations as used herein include sort operations and vice versa.
The prior art method is much more complicated, time consuming, expensive, and error prone. First, a glossary of all possible date name vari~bles must be created, step 41, E~ig. 4. As discussed in the Background of the Invention abovc, Ihis initial step is problematic because progratnrners do not always use mf~ningfill tertns in namin~ variables for dates. Variables that are not dates could also be misi(lentif~ed as date variables. The programmers must then locate all possible ~~n(~ tf~s from the glossary, step 42, and if the variable is defined as a number with two or six digits, step 43, two additional digits are added to the definition, step 44. A six digit date is defined as YY DD MM where the first two digits represent the year. the second two represent the day of the month and the last two represent the month. Even though the variable includes six digits or more, the year field is still only represented by two digits. Note the effect on memory space. Next, all possible "children" and the ' ancestors" of the identified variable are located and added to the list to increase the date definition by two additional ~:~igits, step 45. Children are defined as copies of the variable and ancestors are defined as variables that were copied to the identified variable. The same two steps, 44' and 45' are executed if a variable is defined as a text variable of six or eight characters, step 46. An eight digit date is defined as YYIDD/MM where the first two digits represent the year, the fourth and fifth digits represent the day, and the seventh and eighth le~ nL the month. Those variables not meeting the above criteria are then removed from the list of c~n~ tçs, step 47, and this process is repeated, step 48, until all the identified variable clefinitions have been changed.
The rçm~in~r of the steps of this prior art methodology are delineated in the ~BM "guide book" referenced in the Background of the Invention above.
$~E~ 3 W 098/00777 PCTrUS97110843 In contrast, in this invention~ t~h~ce 14, Fig. 1 is not affected and instead additional computer instructions are automatically inserted near each subtraction. sort and comparison operation in the existing programs as described above.
The following COBOL program shows typical compute, subtract, compare/sort computer operations in an application program before correction by the system of this invention:
Data Definition Section List of variables identified by searching for SUBTRACT, COMPUTE, AND COMPARE
comm~ n~1 s .
05 PR-NAME PIC X(18) 05 FILLER PIC X(42) 05 PR-TARGET-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 05 PR-ACTUAL-CONTR PIC 9(4)v99 lû PR-CONTR-DAY PIC 99 Program Section Subtract search identified variables SUBTRACT PR-CONTR-YR FROM CURRENT-YR GIVING PR-CONTR-AGE.
Less than or greater than comparisons identified variables:
311~1~ 3~EET aWLE 2~
W 098/00777 PCT~US97/10843 IF PR-CONTR-YR > FISCAL-YR
IF PR-CONTR-YR < FISCAL-YR
MOVE FISCAL-YR TO CURRENT-YR.
.
The means for searching for subtraction, compute and comparison/sort operations involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, and the means for correcting these computer operations are shown in the following COBOL program which is the program shown above after it is changed in accordance with the method of this invention:
Data Definition Section List of variables identified by searching for SUBTRACT, COMPUTE, AND
COMPAREISORT comm~n~. All identifled variables are changed to signed variables (i.e., the letter S before the number of digits (characters) occupied by the variable.
01 P~TRON-RECORD
05 PR-NAME PIC X(18) 05 FILLER PIC X(42) 05 PR-TARGET-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 05 PR-ACTUAL-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 10 PR-CONTR-YR PlC S99 gWg~ t S~E~
W O ~X~'~C1// PCT~US97/10843 Program Section SUBTRACT PR-CONTR-YR FROM CURRENT-YR GIVING PR-CONTR-AGE.
IF PR-CONTR-AGE < 0 ADD 50 50 TO PR-CONTR-AGE.
ADD 90 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
IF PR-CONTR-YR > FISCAL-YR
THEN
GO TO 100-YR-SUMMARY.
ELSE
ADD 10 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
ENDIF.
IF PR-CONTR-YR < FISCAL-YR
THEN
MOVE FISCAL-YR TO CURRENT-YR.
ELSE
ADD 10 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
ENDIF.
SUBSIIl~lt S~EET ~ULE ~) WO 98/00777 PCT~US97/10843 Accordingly, in the above example for the COBOL computer language, a search is made for all subtract cu.~ , step 60, Fig. 5, in order to correct subtraction operations.
If the variable is defined as an lm~i~n~d number with t~o or six digits, step 62, the subtract command location is flagged, and all variables used are added to a list of c~n~1icl~tec, and signed numbers are added to their definitioms, step 64. If the variable is a destination in a '~move" instruction, step 66, all ancestors are located and they are added to the variable list and changed to signed variables, step 66. Once all such subtract comm~n-ic have been located, step 74, and if the year is a two digit number. the computer instruction "IF VARIABLE-C IS NEGATIVE ADD 50 50 TO VARIABLE-C" is added after each flagged subtract command, step 76. If the date is a six digit number (YYDDMM~ the computer instruction is "IF VARIABLF-C IS NEGATIVE, ADD 500000 500000 TO VARIABLE-C". The application program is then recompiled, step 78, tested, step 80~ and checked to make sure that the results are the same as the unchanged version, step 82. This process is then repeated for each of the firm's computer programs, step 84.
For compute operations, a search is made for each compute command with a subtract operation, step 90, Fig. 6. If the variable is defined as a number with two or six digits. s~ep 92, each compute command with a subtract operation location is flagged and all variables in these comm~n-i~ are added to the list of c~ n~ t~c and changed to sign variables. step 94. If a particular variable is a destination in a ''move'' instruction, step 96, all ancestors are located as described above, step 98. and added to the list and changed to signed variables. Once all such compute comm~n~1.s with subtract operations have been located. step 104, the instruction "IF VARIABLF.-C IS NEGATIVE ADD 50 50 TO
VARIABLE-C', is inserted, step 106 and the source code is recompiled, step 108. If the date is a six digit number (YYDDMM) the computer instruction is: "IF VARIABLE-~ IS
NEGATIVE, ADD 500000 500000 TO VARIABLE-C". The recompiled program is then tested, step 110 and if the result is the same as the nnrh~lnged program, step 112, the process is repeated for each application program, step 114. If the results are not the same in step 112~ the pro~,ldn~ lg errors are fixed and all date variables are rechecked, step 116.
For compare computer operations in the COBOL language, a search is made for all less than or greater than comm~n(is following an IF comm~mi in the source code, step 130, Fig 7. If any of the data definitions are nn.cignf -l numeric two or six digits, step 132, the ul~ S~EEF ~ULE ~6~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCT~US97/10843 IF colnm~n~l is flagged and all variables used in the IF command are added to the list of c~n~lirl~t~c, step 134. If the variable is a ~estin~tion in a "move" instruction. step 136, all ancestors are located, added to the variable list, and converted to signed variables, step 140. Once all such IF comm:~nn'C have been located, step 146. the command i'ADD 90 TO
VAR~ABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is added before the IF en-""" l-fl and the instruction "ADD
10 TO VARIABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is inserted after the IP comm~n~i, step 148. If thevariable has six digits, the computer instruction: "ADD 900000 TO VARIABLE-A
VARIABLE-B" is inserted before the "IF" comm:ln~ and the instruction "ADD 100000"
TO VARIABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is inserted after the "IF" command. The program is then recompiled, step 150 tested, step 152, and checked to make sure the results are the same as the unchanged program, step 154. This process is then repeated for the next application program, step 156.
The result is modified computer code with added computer instructions which varyslightly depending on whether the original computer code included subtraction, compute, sort and/or comparison operations. This process is much simpler and can be automated in routines to correct all of a company's computer code without the need to change the logical structure of the computer code, reprogram the application programs, or, worse, to search for each two digit year variable in the ~l~t~h~ces and add one or two more digits to the two digit year fields in the ~l~t~h~cec Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience oniy as some feature may be combined with anv or all of the other features in accordance with the invention.
Other embodiments wiil occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims:
SW~ EET ~ 2~
~ ull~8~E~ L~ 3 CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 Note that ~ tlb~ce 14, Fig. 1 was not changed or affected in any way and extra digits were not added to the year date field 16, Fig. 1. Thus, no additional memory is required and the variable name ("e.g. YB") assigned to the year in question is irrelevant.
Accordingly, no search need be made to find all the variable names assigned to year date fields. This is because the method of this invention focuses on the subtraction operation of the application program and not ~t~h~.ce 14. Properly implemented programs which add the lines of code as described above can be made to operate automatically elimin~ting the excessive man hours and testing required to add additional digits to database 14. In addition, the logic structure of the application program is not affected.
For comparison and sorting operations~ a search is made for the comparison and sort operations in each application program, step 30, Fig. 3. For example, Smith, Jones and Shirley may be sorted by year of birth and ~ h~.~e 14 reveals that Smith was born in 2002? Jones was born in 1970. and Shirley was born in 199~. The correct sort is Jones (1970). Shirley (1998), Smith (2002). Since, however, database 14 only stores the year of birth in a two digit format. the application would incorrectly sort Smith first (02), then Jones (70), and then Shirley (98).
However, in this inventiom using modulo arithmetic. a number less than 100 (e.g., 90) or piurality of llulllbel~, adding to less than 100 (e.g., 80+10) is added to each variable to be sorted or compared~ step 32~ so that Smith's new two digit year code is 92, Jones' is (1)60 and Shirley's is (1)88. Sorting operations on the two digit representation of these numbers will then correctly sort, Jones (60), Shirley (88), and Smith (92), step 34. After the sort operation is executed. 10 is now added to each variable, step 36~ to replace the correct year two digit code in the ~l~t~h~ce. Thus, Jones' two digit year code is returned to 70, Shirley's is returned to 98, and Smith's is returned to 02 to m:lin~in the integrity of the database information.
Although the number 90 is used in this example, any number may be used such thatwhen the number is added to the lowest two digit year date in the field of dates to be sorted below the year 2000, the result is greater than 100 (even though thc third digit is not truncated and recognized by the colllL,uLt:l), which is equivalent to decreasing all two digit numbers representing years below the year 2000 by a quantity equal to I00 minus the number (or combination of numbers which equal the number (e.g., 90)). In addition, the number~ when added to the highest year greater than the year 2000, must produce a result less than 100. In this way, all post-year 2000 dates are not increased to a number greater EE~ q~8UL~ 26) CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098100777 PCTrUS97/10843 than 100. So, adding 90 allows waiting until the year 2009 before a given sort routine will need to be modified again. Adding 80 and testing for the current year to be less than 20 allows waiting until the year 2019. For example, if the m:lmber added is 90, comparison operations concerning a span of 99 years (e.g., the years 19I0-2009) will be corrected.
Although a sort operation is shown in the example described above, sort operations and comparison operations are analogous since a sort operation is merely an implementation of a number of comparison operations. Accordingly, Pig. 3 is a general flow chart depicting the method of this invention for both sort and comparison computer operations. Therefore, ' comparison" operations as used herein include sort operations and vice versa.
The prior art method is much more complicated, time consuming, expensive, and error prone. First, a glossary of all possible date name vari~bles must be created, step 41, E~ig. 4. As discussed in the Background of the Invention abovc, Ihis initial step is problematic because progratnrners do not always use mf~ningfill tertns in namin~ variables for dates. Variables that are not dates could also be misi(lentif~ed as date variables. The programmers must then locate all possible ~~n(~ tf~s from the glossary, step 42, and if the variable is defined as a number with two or six digits, step 43, two additional digits are added to the definition, step 44. A six digit date is defined as YY DD MM where the first two digits represent the year. the second two represent the day of the month and the last two represent the month. Even though the variable includes six digits or more, the year field is still only represented by two digits. Note the effect on memory space. Next, all possible "children" and the ' ancestors" of the identified variable are located and added to the list to increase the date definition by two additional ~:~igits, step 45. Children are defined as copies of the variable and ancestors are defined as variables that were copied to the identified variable. The same two steps, 44' and 45' are executed if a variable is defined as a text variable of six or eight characters, step 46. An eight digit date is defined as YYIDD/MM where the first two digits represent the year, the fourth and fifth digits represent the day, and the seventh and eighth le~ nL the month. Those variables not meeting the above criteria are then removed from the list of c~n~ tçs, step 47, and this process is repeated, step 48, until all the identified variable clefinitions have been changed.
The rçm~in~r of the steps of this prior art methodology are delineated in the ~BM "guide book" referenced in the Background of the Invention above.
$~E~ 3 W 098/00777 PCTrUS97110843 In contrast, in this invention~ t~h~ce 14, Fig. 1 is not affected and instead additional computer instructions are automatically inserted near each subtraction. sort and comparison operation in the existing programs as described above.
The following COBOL program shows typical compute, subtract, compare/sort computer operations in an application program before correction by the system of this invention:
Data Definition Section List of variables identified by searching for SUBTRACT, COMPUTE, AND COMPARE
comm~ n~1 s .
05 PR-NAME PIC X(18) 05 FILLER PIC X(42) 05 PR-TARGET-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 05 PR-ACTUAL-CONTR PIC 9(4)v99 lû PR-CONTR-DAY PIC 99 Program Section Subtract search identified variables SUBTRACT PR-CONTR-YR FROM CURRENT-YR GIVING PR-CONTR-AGE.
Less than or greater than comparisons identified variables:
311~1~ 3~EET aWLE 2~
W 098/00777 PCT~US97/10843 IF PR-CONTR-YR > FISCAL-YR
IF PR-CONTR-YR < FISCAL-YR
MOVE FISCAL-YR TO CURRENT-YR.
.
The means for searching for subtraction, compute and comparison/sort operations involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, and the means for correcting these computer operations are shown in the following COBOL program which is the program shown above after it is changed in accordance with the method of this invention:
Data Definition Section List of variables identified by searching for SUBTRACT, COMPUTE, AND
COMPAREISORT comm~n~. All identifled variables are changed to signed variables (i.e., the letter S before the number of digits (characters) occupied by the variable.
01 P~TRON-RECORD
05 PR-NAME PIC X(18) 05 FILLER PIC X(42) 05 PR-TARGET-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 05 PR-ACTUAL-CONTR PIC 9(4)V99 10 PR-CONTR-YR PlC S99 gWg~ t S~E~
W O ~X~'~C1// PCT~US97/10843 Program Section SUBTRACT PR-CONTR-YR FROM CURRENT-YR GIVING PR-CONTR-AGE.
IF PR-CONTR-AGE < 0 ADD 50 50 TO PR-CONTR-AGE.
ADD 90 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
IF PR-CONTR-YR > FISCAL-YR
THEN
GO TO 100-YR-SUMMARY.
ELSE
ADD 10 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
ENDIF.
IF PR-CONTR-YR < FISCAL-YR
THEN
MOVE FISCAL-YR TO CURRENT-YR.
ELSE
ADD 10 TO PR-CONTR-YR FISCAL-YR.
ENDIF.
SUBSIIl~lt S~EET ~ULE ~) WO 98/00777 PCT~US97/10843 Accordingly, in the above example for the COBOL computer language, a search is made for all subtract cu.~ , step 60, Fig. 5, in order to correct subtraction operations.
If the variable is defined as an lm~i~n~d number with t~o or six digits, step 62, the subtract command location is flagged, and all variables used are added to a list of c~n~1icl~tec, and signed numbers are added to their definitioms, step 64. If the variable is a destination in a '~move" instruction, step 66, all ancestors are located and they are added to the variable list and changed to signed variables, step 66. Once all such subtract comm~n-ic have been located, step 74, and if the year is a two digit number. the computer instruction "IF VARIABLE-C IS NEGATIVE ADD 50 50 TO VARIABLE-C" is added after each flagged subtract command, step 76. If the date is a six digit number (YYDDMM~ the computer instruction is "IF VARIABLF-C IS NEGATIVE, ADD 500000 500000 TO VARIABLE-C". The application program is then recompiled, step 78, tested, step 80~ and checked to make sure that the results are the same as the unchanged version, step 82. This process is then repeated for each of the firm's computer programs, step 84.
For compute operations, a search is made for each compute command with a subtract operation, step 90, Fig. 6. If the variable is defined as a number with two or six digits. s~ep 92, each compute command with a subtract operation location is flagged and all variables in these comm~n-i~ are added to the list of c~ n~ t~c and changed to sign variables. step 94. If a particular variable is a destination in a ''move'' instruction, step 96, all ancestors are located as described above, step 98. and added to the list and changed to signed variables. Once all such compute comm~n~1.s with subtract operations have been located. step 104, the instruction "IF VARIABLF.-C IS NEGATIVE ADD 50 50 TO
VARIABLE-C', is inserted, step 106 and the source code is recompiled, step 108. If the date is a six digit number (YYDDMM) the computer instruction is: "IF VARIABLE-~ IS
NEGATIVE, ADD 500000 500000 TO VARIABLE-C". The recompiled program is then tested, step 110 and if the result is the same as the nnrh~lnged program, step 112, the process is repeated for each application program, step 114. If the results are not the same in step 112~ the pro~,ldn~ lg errors are fixed and all date variables are rechecked, step 116.
For compare computer operations in the COBOL language, a search is made for all less than or greater than comm~n(is following an IF comm~mi in the source code, step 130, Fig 7. If any of the data definitions are nn.cignf -l numeric two or six digits, step 132, the ul~ S~EEF ~ULE ~6~
CA 022307~2 1998-02-27 W 098/00777 PCT~US97/10843 IF colnm~n~l is flagged and all variables used in the IF command are added to the list of c~n~lirl~t~c, step 134. If the variable is a ~estin~tion in a "move" instruction. step 136, all ancestors are located, added to the variable list, and converted to signed variables, step 140. Once all such IF comm:~nn'C have been located, step 146. the command i'ADD 90 TO
VAR~ABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is added before the IF en-""" l-fl and the instruction "ADD
10 TO VARIABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is inserted after the IP comm~n~i, step 148. If thevariable has six digits, the computer instruction: "ADD 900000 TO VARIABLE-A
VARIABLE-B" is inserted before the "IF" comm:ln~ and the instruction "ADD 100000"
TO VARIABLE-A VARIABLE-B" is inserted after the "IF" command. The program is then recompiled, step 150 tested, step 152, and checked to make sure the results are the same as the unchanged program, step 154. This process is then repeated for the next application program, step 156.
The result is modified computer code with added computer instructions which varyslightly depending on whether the original computer code included subtraction, compute, sort and/or comparison operations. This process is much simpler and can be automated in routines to correct all of a company's computer code without the need to change the logical structure of the computer code, reprogram the application programs, or, worse, to search for each two digit year variable in the ~l~t~h~ces and add one or two more digits to the two digit year fields in the ~l~t~h~cec Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience oniy as some feature may be combined with anv or all of the other features in accordance with the invention.
Other embodiments wiil occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims:
SW~ EET ~ 2~
Claims (42)
1. A system for identifying and correcting computer subtraction operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising:
a computer;
means, operable on said computer, for searching for a subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between said two quantities;
means for verifying a negative difference value; and means, responsive to said means for verifying, for adding to said difference value a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
a computer;
means, operable on said computer, for searching for a subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between said two quantities;
means for verifying a negative difference value; and means, responsive to said means for verifying, for adding to said difference value a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
2. The system of claim 1 in which said subtraction operation includes computer instructions in existing computer code and said means for adding includes means for inserting a first new computer instruction in said existing computer code after said subtraction operation, said first new computer instruction including the addition of said plurality of two digit numbers to said difference value.
3. The system of claim 2 in which said subtraction operation includes computer instructions in existing computer code and said means for verifying includes means for inserting a second new computer instruction between said existing computer code and said first new computer instruction for executing said first new instruction only if said difference is negative.
4. A system for correcting computer comparison operations involving two digityear dates, the system comprising:
a computer;
means, operable on the computer, for searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates;
means for adding a first number or first combination of numbers large enough to all said two digit quantities such that two digit numbers representing years before the year 2000 are decreased by a quantity equal to 100 minus the number or combination of numbers; and means for executing said comparison operation.
a computer;
means, operable on the computer, for searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates;
means for adding a first number or first combination of numbers large enough to all said two digit quantities such that two digit numbers representing years before the year 2000 are decreased by a quantity equal to 100 minus the number or combination of numbers; and means for executing said comparison operation.
5. The system of claim 4 further including means for adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after said comparison operation is executed, the sum of the first number or first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers being 100.
6. The system of claim 4 in which said first number or first combination of numbers, when added to the highest year over the year 2000, results in the year being increased by an amount equal to the first number or first combination of numbersproducing a sum less than 100.
7. The system of claim 4 in which said first number or first combination of numbers is between 80 and 90 to correct comparison operations concerning the years spanning a 99 year range.
8. A system for correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising:
means. operable on a computer. for searching for a computer programming operation in an application program involving two digit quantities representing year dates;
and means for inserting computer instructions in said application program, said computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer programming operation.
means. operable on a computer. for searching for a computer programming operation in an application program involving two digit quantities representing year dates;
and means for inserting computer instructions in said application program, said computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer programming operation.
9. The system of claim 8 in which a said computer operation is a subtraction operation and said means for inserting computer instructions includes:
means for verifying a negative difference value when said subtraction operation is executed, and means responsive to said means for verifying, for adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
means for verifying a negative difference value when said subtraction operation is executed, and means responsive to said means for verifying, for adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
10. The system of claim 8 in which a said computer operation is a comparison operation and said means for inserting computer instructions include means for adding a first number or first combination of numbers less than 100 to all said two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed.
11. The system of claim 10 in which said computer instructions further include adding a second number or second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after said comparison operation is executed, the first number or first combination of numbers and the second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100.
12. The system of claim 10 in which said first number or first combination ofnumbers. when added to all the two digit quantity representing a year before the year 2000.
results in a number equal to the year reduced by an amount equal to 100 minus said first number or first combination of numbers.
results in a number equal to the year reduced by an amount equal to 100 minus said first number or first combination of numbers.
13. The system of claim 10 in which said first number or first combination ofnumbers, when added to the largest two digit quantity representing a year greater than the year 2000, results in a number equal to the sum of the year plus said first number or first combination of numbers less than 100.
14. A system for correcting computer subtraction operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising:
a computer having computer code including at least one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between said two quantities;
means for verifying a negative difference value; and a computer instruction, inserted within said code, including means for adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
a computer having computer code including at least one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;means for executing the subtraction operation to obtain a difference value between said two quantities;
means for verifying a negative difference value; and a computer instruction, inserted within said code, including means for adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
15. A system for correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising:
a computer having computer code including at least one comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates; and a computer instruction, inserted within said code, including means for decreasing all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 and for increasing all two digit numbers representing a year greater than the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
a computer having computer code including at least one comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates; and a computer instruction, inserted within said code, including means for decreasing all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 and for increasing all two digit numbers representing a year greater than the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
16. The system of claim 15 in which said means for increasing includes means for adding a first number or a first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities.
17. The system of claim 16 in which said means for increasing further includes means for adding a second number or a second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after the execution of said comparison operation, said first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100.
18. A system for correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates, the system comprising:
a computer having at least one computer operation involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and an inserted computer instruction including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operation.
a computer having at least one computer operation involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and an inserted computer instruction including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operation.
19. The system of claim 18 in which said computer operation includes at leastone subtraction operation and said computer instruction adds, to the difference value of the subtraction operation, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
20. The system of claim 18 in which said computer operation includes a comparison operation and said computer instruction decreases all two digit numbers representing years before the year 2000 and increases all two digit numbers representing years after the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
21. The system of claim 20 in which said computer instruction adds a first number or a first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed.
22. The system of claim 21 in which said computer instruction further adds a second number or a second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after the execution of said comparison operation, said first number or first combination of numbers and said second number or second combination of numbers totaling 100.
23. A method for correcting computer code including subtraction operations involving two digit year dates, the method comprising:
computerized searching for subtraction operations in computer code involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates;
executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between said two quantities; and adding, to all negative difference values, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
computerized searching for subtraction operations in computer code involving a plurality of a two digit quantities representing year dates;
executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between said two quantities; and adding, to all negative difference values, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
24. A method for correcting computer code including comparison operations involving two digit year dates. the method comprising:
computerized searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities such that the smallest two digit number representing a year before the year 2000 is decreased by a quantity equal to 100 minus the first number or the first combination of numbers;
executing said comparison operation on a computer.
computerized searching for a comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates;
adding a first number or first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities such that the smallest two digit number representing a year before the year 2000 is decreased by a quantity equal to 100 minus the first number or the first combination of numbers;
executing said comparison operation on a computer.
25. The method of claim 24 further including adding a second number or a second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100.
26. The method of claim 24 in which the first number or first combination of numbers, when added to years equal to over the year 2000, increases the year by the first number or combination of numbers resulting in a sum less than 100.
27. The method of claim 24 in which the first number or first combination of numbers is between 80 and 90 to correct comparison operations concerning years spanning a 99 year range.
28. A method for correcting computer code including computer operations involving two digit year dates, the method comprising:
searching for computer operations involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and inserting computer instructions in said computer code, said computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operations.
searching for computer operations involving two digit quantities representing year dates; and inserting computer instructions in said computer code, said computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operations.
29. The method of claim 28 in which said computer operation is a subtraction operation and the step of inserting computer instructions includes:
verifying a negative difference value when said subtraction operation is executed, and adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
verifying a negative difference value when said subtraction operation is executed, and adding, to said difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
30. The method of claim 28 in which said computer operation is a comparison operation and the step of inserting computer instructions includes adding a first number or a first combination of numbers less than 100 to all the two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed.
31. The method of claim 30 in which the step of inserting computer instructions further includes adding a second number or a second combination of numbers to all two digit quantities after the comparison operation is executed, the first number or combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100.
32. The method of claim 30 in which the first number or the first combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing the year before the year 2000, results in a number equal to the year reduced by 100 minus the first number or the first combination of numbers.
33. The method of claim 30 in which the first number or first combination of numbers, when added to the two digit quantity representing a year equal to or greater than the year 2000, results in a number equal to the year plus the first number or the first combination of numbers producing a sum less than 100.
34. A method for correcting computer code including at least one subtraction operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, the method comprising:
executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between the two quantities;
verifying a negative difference value; and inserting a computer instruction which adds, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
executing the subtraction operation on a computer to obtain a difference value between the two quantities;
verifying a negative difference value; and inserting a computer instruction which adds, to the difference value, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
35. A method for correcting computer code including at least one comparison operation involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates, the method comprising:
inserting a computer instruction in said computer code which decreases all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 before the comparisonoperation is executed.
inserting a computer instruction in said computer code which decreases all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 before the comparisonoperation is executed.
36. The method of claim 35 in which the step of inserting includes adding a first number or a first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities.
37. The method of claim 36 further including adding a second number or a second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100.
38. A method for correcting computer operations involving two digit quantities year dates, the method comprising:
inserting computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operations.
inserting computer instructions including an arithmetic routine for changing the value of said two digit quantities to correct said computer operations.
39. The method of claim 38 in which a computer operation includes at least one subtraction operation and an inserted computer instruction adds, to a difference value between two such two digit quantities, a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100.
40. The method of claim 38 in which a computer operation includes a comparison operation and an inserted computer instruction decreases all two digit numbers representing a year before the year 2000 before the comparison operation is executed.
41. The method of claim 40 in which an inserted computer instruction adds a first number or a first combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities before the comparison operation is executed.
42. The method of claim 40 in which an inserted computer instruction further adds a second number or a second combination of numbers to all said two digit quantities after the execution of the comparison operation, the first number or the first combination of numbers and the second number or the second combination of numbers totaling 100.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/668,513 US5808889A (en) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-06-28 | System and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates |
| US08/668,513 | 1996-06-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2230752A1 true CA2230752A1 (en) | 1998-01-08 |
Family
ID=24682604
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002230752A Abandoned CA2230752A1 (en) | 1996-06-28 | 1997-06-24 | System and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5808889A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0892949A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3408397A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2230752A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998000777A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (28)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5970247A (en) * | 1996-10-07 | 1999-10-19 | Wolf; William M. | Methods for encoding decoding and processing six character date designations for the year 2000 and beyond |
| US5809500A (en) * | 1997-02-26 | 1998-09-15 | Century Technology Services, Inc. | System for converting programs and databases to correct year 2000 processing errors |
| US6041177A (en) * | 1997-02-26 | 2000-03-21 | Fujitsu Limited | Program analyzing apparatus which categorizes variables into domains and method thereof |
| US6009540A (en) * | 1997-04-08 | 1999-12-28 | Aitm Associates Incorporated | Logic module for implementing system changes on PC architecture computers |
| US5903895A (en) * | 1997-04-29 | 1999-05-11 | Hoffman; Milton R. | Method for reformation conventional three field date formats to produce a century accumulated date |
| US5950197A (en) * | 1997-05-07 | 1999-09-07 | Beam; William N. | Character set and programming language extension for enlarging the capacity of a date code |
| US6226791B1 (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2001-05-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted or interpreter-assisted compression solution to the year 2000 problem for computer programs |
| US6078734A (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2000-06-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted solution to the year 2000 problem for computer programs |
| US6233728B1 (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2001-05-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted or interpreter-assisted solution to the year 2000 problem with debugging option for computer programs |
| US6064817A (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2000-05-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted or interpreter-assisted solution to the year 2000 problem for computer programs |
| US6185571B1 (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2001-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted or interpreter-assisted solution to the year 2000 problem with flagging option for computer programs |
| US6081655A (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2000-06-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Compiler-assisted or interpreter-assisted expansion solution to the year 2000 problem for computer programs |
| US6041330A (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 2000-03-21 | Telecordia Technologies, Inc. | System and method for generating year 2000 test cases |
| US5926814A (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-07-20 | Consist International | System and method for processing a new calendar system |
| AUPP028997A0 (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 1997-12-04 | Phase Shift Technology Pty Ltd | Dynamic date shifting process |
| US6484167B1 (en) * | 1997-11-12 | 2002-11-19 | John P. Tarlano | Method and apparatus for providing calendar year dates by forming hexadecimal dates having two digits |
| US6071317A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 2000-06-06 | Digits Corp. | Object code logic analysis and automated modification system and method |
| US6003028A (en) * | 1998-01-13 | 1999-12-14 | Dyxlar North America, Inc. | Implementing extended numeric range within a two-digit software representation |
| US6240546B1 (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 2001-05-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Identifying date fields for runtime year 2000 system solution process, method and article of manufacture |
| US6067544A (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2000-05-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for predicting year-2000 instruction failures |
| US6279127B1 (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2001-08-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for predicting year-2000 instruction failures |
| US6643664B1 (en) * | 1999-09-17 | 2003-11-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data conversions solving time limitations of object-oriented software programs |
| US8522082B1 (en) | 2000-04-28 | 2013-08-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for identifying remediation failures in year-2000 remediation programs |
| US7057666B2 (en) * | 2000-10-24 | 2006-06-06 | Harris Corporation | System and method for encoding information into a video signal |
| US6978443B2 (en) * | 2002-01-07 | 2005-12-20 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method and apparatus for organizing warning messages |
| US7987246B2 (en) | 2002-05-23 | 2011-07-26 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank | Method and system for client browser update |
| AU2003297295A1 (en) * | 2002-12-30 | 2004-07-29 | Fannie Mae | System and method of processing data pertaining to financial assets |
| US9038177B1 (en) | 2010-11-30 | 2015-05-19 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for implementing multi-level data fusion |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06119393A (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 1994-04-28 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Electronic file device |
| US5664175A (en) * | 1993-08-13 | 1997-09-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for reprioritizing calendar items on a data processing system |
| US5600836A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 1997-02-04 | Turn Of The Century Solution, Inc. | System and method for processing date-dependent information which spans one or two centuries |
-
1996
- 1996-06-28 US US08/668,513 patent/US5808889A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-06-24 EP EP97930193A patent/EP0892949A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-06-24 WO PCT/US1997/010843 patent/WO1998000777A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-06-24 AU AU34083/97A patent/AU3408397A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-06-24 CA CA002230752A patent/CA2230752A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5808889A (en) | 1998-09-15 |
| WO1998000777A1 (en) | 1998-01-08 |
| AU3408397A (en) | 1998-01-21 |
| EP0892949A1 (en) | 1999-01-27 |
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