Compare 2 dates using javascript

[kingcarol]

OK, I have a feeling this has been asked before but I've searched and can't find exactly what I need.

On my UX, I have a date field named GL_DATE and its display format is: time("MM/dd/yy",<value>)

I want to check the date entered by the user to see if it is:
1 - After today (in the future)?
2 - Over a year old (from today)
3 - Prior to another date field (CURR_PERIOD_BEGIN) in the ux
4 - After another date field (CURR_PERIOD_END) in the ux

I know how to do this with a callback to Xbasic, but I would like to know if it's possible in javascript.

I wrote this much and then became stumped about how to get javascript to see the gldate as a date because I know it will be a string:

var currRowNum = {dialog.Object}.getRepeatingSectionActiveRow('CONTAINER_1');
var glDate = {dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum');

[GGandhi]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

you should be able to do all these calculations with javascript gettime method of the date object
for example
var today = new Date()
today.getTime() will give you milliseconds from jan 1st 1970 for today
similarly you can get all these other numbers and compare whether they meet your criteria.

[DaveF]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Carol,

This will convert your date string to a Javascript Date object:

var glDate = new Date(Date.parse({dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum'));

Some other things you can do:

var today = new Date();
var tomorrow = new Date(today.getTime() + 24*60*60*1000); // 24 hrs * 60 mins * 60 secs * 1000 milliseconds
var yesterday = new Date(today.getTime() - 24*60*60*1000);
var nextYear = new Date(today.getTime() + 365*24*60*60*1000);

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Thanks for the replies but I am just too ignorant about javascript and dates, even though I keep trying to go and read things about them. Don't laugh, but here is my latest failed attempt to get an alert from the onChange event of the GL_DATE.. You can see my other failed attempts by looking at the stuff that is commented out. (GL_DATE is a field on a repeating section row and BALANCE_FWD_DATE is not in the repeating section.)

var currRowNum = {dialog.Object}.getRepeatingSectionActiveRow('CONTAINER_1');
var glDate = new Date({dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum'));
//var glDate = {dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum');
//var glDate = new Date(Date.parse({dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum'));
var cnvrtGLDate = glDate.getTime()
var BalFwdDate = new Date({dialog.object}.getValue('BALANCE_FWD_DATE'));
//var BalFwdDate = {dialog.object}.getValue('BALANCE_FWD_DATE');
//var balFwdDate = new Date(Date.parse({dialog.object}.getValue('BALANCE_FWD_DATE'));
var cnvrtBalFwd = balFwdDate.getTime()

//if(glDate < BalFwdDate){
if(cnvrtGLDate < cnvrtBalFwd){
	alert('The date entered is prior to the Balance Forward date for your accounting books and will not be allowed when Submitting this record.');
}

[GGandhi]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

http://screencast.com/t/DyNNKnVZmdJl

take a look at this.

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Thank you, Ghandi. That looks promising. I will try it later tonight or in the morning and let you know.

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

I have followed your steps, Ghandi, with no luck. I am wondering if I need to update my version. I have been having no problems with version 1970-4257 so have stuck with it. Is it possible that the new Date() OR the getTime() stuff only works in a later release?

[Davidk]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Carol,

I really don't like dates... they're nasty things... in any language. They never match... there's always a format issue... you always have to remember, or find, the calc to figure out days, years, etc.

So... I use moment.js. It's a tiny javascript library... clearly written by someone who both loves and hates dates.

It does take a little bit of getting used to... but it's well worth it.

Attached is the moment.js file in a zip file, along with a UX that demonstrates what you're looking for.

And here is what it looks like...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXGn_fE_nuY

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

David, that looks promising! I watched as I'm heading to sleep and will definitely try it in the morning. How kind of you to take the time to do that.

[GGandhi]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

I have followed your steps, Ghandi, with no luck. I am wondering if I need to update my version. I have been having no problems with version 1970-4257 so have stuck with it. Is it possible that the new Date() OR the getTime() stuff only works in a later release?

they are javascript, not alpha stuff. incidentally I am on version 11, remember the abandoned one, that one. you are with the prized child.
if after reviewing david's and still need some explanation post back exactly what you want to be done one of us will help.

edit: I just looked at david's video..
it is a good video, but a little thing like this you can write your own calculation without moment.js library.

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Hi Ghandi, Before I try David's suggestion, I thought I'd post what I've tried based on your suggestion. I've now made a simple ux to do the testing and it is attached. Below is the code I've been trying in the onChange event of the GL_DATE. It produces no alert when I enter a date prior to the BALANCE_FWD_DATE.

var currRowNum = {dialog.Object}.getRepeatingSectionActiveRow('CONTAINER_1');
var gld = {dialog.object}.getValue('GL_DATE:currRowNum');
var glDate = new Date(gld)
var bfd = {dialog.object}.getValue('BALANCE_FWD_DATE');
var balFwdDate = new Date(bfd)
if(glDate.getTime() < balFwdDate.getTime()){
	alert('The date entered is before the balance forward date.');
}

ZZZDatesTest.a5wcmp

[GGandhi]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

I will post a video in aminute,
but when you are in an active row you do not need to indicate the row number as 'GL_DATE:currRowNum'
just simple gl_date should be fine.
I will work out a sample on repeating section post it soon for you

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

OK, now I've tested using David's suggestion and I'm still not having any luck. My component using that one is attached.

ZZZDatesTestMoment.a5wcmp

[kingcarol]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

Now I think I know the problem. I am putting the javascript into the onChange event of the GL_DATE. I just put a button on BOTH Gandhi's and David's suggestions and am getting the desired alert from both of them when I click a button. I guess I'm going to have to call the on click event of buttons that are hidden using show hide expression. Apparently the onChange event does not get the value of the date object.

[GGandhi]

Re: Compare 2 dates using javascript

http://screencast.com/t/Sv0QGMMUHr7

take a look at this screencast.