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We're looking ahead and poised for the year 2000
This statement addresses the issue of Galactic software and the computing issues involving the upcoming year 2000. This statement applies to all Galactic software including the earlier DOS packages, Spectra Calc® and Lab Calc®.
It is well known that much computer software written in the 20th century has utilised only 2 digits to represent the year. In particular, there are great concerns on how this date change will affect software that performs calculations and comparisons, and sorting on date codes. In addition, it is desirable for software at the user interface level to be able to express date codes using a 4 digit century format.
Galactic software only stores the date in data file headers using the Galactic Data Format. This format allows the expression of dates in 4 digit century format. A complete format description is available for download in the Spectra Etc. section at http://www.galactic.com/galactic/_gala/data.htm. Galactic Import/Export converters convert data files from a native file format to the Galactic data format. Galactic has no control over the native file format of the original data. In cases where the original data created by a non-Galactic program only contains two digits for the year, the file import converter makes a best guess at the correct century before storing it in the Galactic data format. Galactic provides a function (FILEINFO.AB) to allow the user to manually correct the year should this result in an incorrect date.
Date Calculations, Comparisons, and Sorting
Galactic software does not use the date field internally for any calculations, comparisons, or sorting. The date is used solely to identify the time and date of file creation. The internal Galactic date format is sortable by third party programs and will result in a correct sort by date.
Formatting Display of Date Information
Reports in Galactic software can reflect the current date and the file creation date. These are be expressed as the control codes ^CD and ^FD respectively. The date format displayed is determined by the settings in the Regional Settings section of the control panel. Choose the Date tab on the Windows 95 dialog and choose the date format you want displayed under the Short Date Format choice. The choices includes month/date/century formats. |
Updated:
99/11 |
