Conference clt::cobol

3240.0. "Cobol ACCEPT DATE FROM SYSTEM statement" by SIOG::HANLEY () Fri May 09 1997 10:51

    Hi,
    
    I have a customer query who would like to know if Digital have
    any plans for the ACCEPT DATE FROM SYSTEM statement. We need to
    know WHETHER it will be changed in a future release of Cobol to
    return a 9(8) date. If it is to change, we need to know WHEN.
    
    I include the customer mail below...
    
    Thanks,
    Patrick Hanley
    
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Subject: Cobol ACCEPT DATE FROM SYSTEM statement
    
        We have started our Overpayments Y2K project, and have
    already amended some programs. We need to know what is likely
    to happen regarding the ACCEPT DATE FROM SYSTEM statement in   
    Cobol. This statement returns a 6-digit system date, which is not
    Y2K compliant.
    
        We have for the time-being adopted the standing instruction
    to programmers telling them that where they come across the above
    statement, they should replace it with a call to the system
    service Sys$GetTim, which I am told, is Y2K compliant. We feel
    this is safer than leaving ACCEPT statements in programs, even
    though it will take a little more time.
    
        Notwithstanding this, we would like to know if Digital have
    any plans for the ACCEPT DATE FROM SYSTEM statement. We need to
    know WHETHER it will be changed in a future release of Cobol to
    return a 9(8) date. If it is to change, we need to know WHEN. I
    would appreciate if you could get an answer on this from Digital
    as soon as possible. I'm at (704)3687, if you need me,
    
    Thanks,

See note 3219.1 -- use FUNCTION CURRENT-DATE.