Most of the date fields in CIRS are defined as Smart Dates. Smart date values are stored as the number of days lapsed since December 31, 1900, but display in a reader friendly date format with slashes. Below are tips for using smart date values in screening statements and defines:
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When used in an IF statement, smart date values do not require single quotes and can be typed with or without slashes.
For example: IF PH:PAYPERIOD EQ 2004/06 or IF PH:PAYPERIOD EQ 200406
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When used in a WHERE statement, smart date values can be typed with or without slashes. However, if typed with slashes, the value must be enclosed in single quotes. Note: If a date is typed with slashes but is not enclosed in single quotes, the system will NOT generate an error, but will return incorrect results.
For example: WHERE PH:PAYPERIOD EQ '2004/06' or WHERE PH:PAYPERIOD EQ 200406
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When used in a DEFINE, smart date values must be enclosed in single quotes whether typed with or without the slashes.
For example: TEST/A3=IF EH:EMPDATE GE '06012004' THEN 'YES' ELSE 'NO';
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To compare smart date values in a screening statement, use the WHERE command.
For example: WHERE AC:EFFDATE EQ AC:EMPDATE
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Smart date values that display as blank are actually stored as the integer 0. When screening for blank values, use either ' ' or 0.
For example: IF AC:APPTXDTE EQ ' ' or IF AC:APPTXDTE EQ 0
Related Topic: Smart Dates