X-Message-Number: 7357
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #7339 - #7346
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 12:50:49 -0800 (PST)

Hi again!

Since I just survived Christmas, I will add another short message about the
date problem.

Every one of those 2-digit numbers lies somewhere inside a computer program.
The definition of "date" in that program assumes that it cannot have more than
2 digits for the year. This in itself creates a problem, since when the program
is compiled we cannot then simply replace a 2 digit date by a 4 digit one
without risking the destruction of still other data (or even code) which is
where it is because it takes up the space that the other 2 digits might take
up if they were there.

I have a database program of my own, and (since it is so near the turn of the
century, and my program allowed me to do this) I use 4 digit dates. But I've
also looked at the result in memory: it's all run together. If I chose 2 digit
dates, then not only would the program (being friendly) refuse to let me
input a 4 digit date, but if I did, doing so would wipe out some of the data
in the record I was creating. Sure, this program comes with a system by which
I could set up a SECOND pattern of data for another database, and move all
my data across to it. And I'm just a little guy: I don't really have enough 
data in there for this to be a large job. But if I had thousands of records,
moving them across might take up several days. And that is what I would have
to do to fix MY date problem.

Computers are a big help in many things, and I'm glad I own two. But they 
totally lack what we would think of as "intelligence" (and in so doing, also
raise questions about IQ tests, which simply require the testee to answer 
a variety of questions within a time limit --- something NOT hard for a 
computer, especially if they are multiple choice and the computer is programmed
by someone who knows basically how to answer such questions). One sign of that
lack of intelligence is that they can be completely confused by 2 digit versus
4 digit dates. Never forget: they have no idea what all these things you put
into them MEAN, they just follow rules with it and tell you the result. And
the date problem is a consequence of that.

			Hope you all had a good holiday, and
				long long life,

					Thomas Donaldson


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