DATE.FORMAT

The DATE.FORMAT command selects the date format to be used by default or displays this setting.

Format

DATE.FORMAT OFF

DATE.FORMAT { ON }

DATE.FORMAT DISPLAY

DATE.FORMAT INFORM

DATE.FORMAT conv.code

The DATE.FORMAT command controls the behaviour of date conversion operations that do not include a specific display format. Any conversion that has a fixed form such as use of the DATE or TIME commands is not affected. The initial state of the European date format setting is taken from the EURODATE configuration parameter, defaulting to off if this parameter is not present.

DATE.FORMAT OFF selects American date format (month, day, year) as the default for date conversions.

DATE.FORMAT ON or DATE.FORMAT with no qualifying information selects European date format (day, month, year) as the default for date conversions.

DATE.FORMAT DISPLAY displays the current setting of the date format mode. If a non-default conversion code has been set, this is also displayed. @SYSTEM.RETURN.CODE is set to 0 for American date format or 1 for European date format.

DATE.FORMAT INFORM sets @SYSTEM.RETURN.CODE as described above but does not display the date setting.

DATE.FORMAT conv.code sets the default conversion code that will be used for date conversions that specify a code of D with no qualifying options. The conv.code must be a valid date conversion code. Specifying conv.code as D reverts to the standard default setting.

Examples

DATE.FORMAT ON

DATE.FORMAT DISPLAY

European date format is on

The above commands set European date format and then confirm this selection.