invalid date error

[Mike Wilson]

I have searched and read with no joy.

When you enter an invalid date into a form date field, A5 returns an error message " Constant operator is not recognized". I would like to evaluate the value before A5 with isdate() and make needed evets with code. But I can't find out how to interrupt/preclude the A5 error with code. The OnDepart field event doesn't work. The OnWrote field rule event does not work. How can I interject before the A5 eval? Thank you.

[G Gabriel]

Re: invalid date error

Mike:
Your question went un-answered. Not sure if others with v10 have the same error? In v8 I get "Invalid Date" as expected. So I am not sure if this is something unique to your application (which I don't think it is since your zip file is void of any other offenders) or it's a bug. Possibly the latter, though it is perhaps a bug in the sense that it is throwing a back-room error instead of the correct error.

Nonetheless, and if only for academic reasons, if you wish to beat alpha to the bunch and evaluate the validity of the date before alpha takes a stab at it, I could see you do this by either:
1-Evaluate the a_field_value in the Field Rules, or
2-Evaluate the date with an OnKey script.

But before embarking on this adventure, I am not really sure why is the timing? Can't you branch your code based on the date validity say in the CanChange, or OnChange? Nothing will be saved nor altered and you will have all the time to re-direct as you wish.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: invalid date error

Mike, using vers 10.5 I see the same behavior you describe. Suggest you forward the zip file with a formal bug report. The error message is misleading and unhelpful.

Developing a workaround is trickier than one might think.

The isdate() function wants to work with a date_string. To convert the input from the user you'd have to use the dtoc() function to create the date_string. Guess what? Alpha throws an error with dtoc() if the "date" passed to it is not a valid date. It's the same error that Mike is seeing in the first place. Looks like a "Catch 22".

[Selwyn Rabins]

Re: invalid date error

I have searched and read with no joy.

When you enter an invalid date into a form date field, A5 returns an error message " Constant operator is not recognized". I would like to evaluate the value before A5 with isdate() and make needed evets with code. But I can't find out how to interrupt/preclude the A5 error with code. The OnDepart field event doesn't work. The OnWrote field rule event does not work. How can I interject before the A5 eval? Thank you.

this has been fixed. it will be in the next update.

[Tbaker]

Re: invalid date error

This was supposed to be fixed in the NEXT update. With 3272-3589 and now with 3307-3591 you still get the error "Constant Operator Not Recognized" Evidently it did not make the cut for the last several updates.

Or am I missing something?

Tom Baker

[Selwyn Rabins]

Re: invalid date error

Earlier in this thread I said that the bug would be fixed in an upcoming patch.

I am not sure what I meant by this. There is no bug.

if you go to the interactive window and type

?{13/13/01} you get an error saying that the constant operator is not recognized. this error is correct (although admittedly a little cryptic), since this is not a valid value.

if you want to trap the error yourself in a table, you need to go to the canWriteField event in field rules and add this code:

dim datetext as c 
datetext = "" + a_field_value.value
if isdate(datetext) = .f. 
	cancel()
	ui_msg_box("Error","Invalid date")
        'set value back to nothing
        a_field_value = ""
end if

we can certainly look at improving the error message.

[Tbaker]

Re: invalid date error

Selwyn

I have one app that has over 450 tables - with many of them having user entered date fields. While they have calendar to check a date - fast typist like to enter a date by "hand". I find myself that it is easier to type 083010 then to look at the calendar, jog back to August and then find the date.

I would take a change back to the old V8 way of just letting you know it was an invalid date (seems that the code you show in the fix, would be the backend of that reply in Version 8.

While I know what the new message means, some of my users are scratching there head to understand what they did wrong and of course they get me involved.

Would be nice to have the old v8 message back rather than going through the tables and pasting the fix to each and every date in the tables.

Just my two cents worth.

Tom Baker

[Selwyn Rabins]

Re: invalid date error

Selwyn

I have one app that has over 450 tables - with many of them having user entered date fields. While they have calendar to check a date - fast typist like to enter a date by "hand". I find myself that it is easier to type 083010 then to look at the calendar, jog back to August and then find the date.

I would take a change back to the old V8 way of just letting you know it was an invalid date (seems that the code you show in the fix, would be the backend of that reply in Version 8.

While I know what the new message means, some of my users are scratching there head to understand what they did wrong and of course they get me involved.

Would be nice to have the old v8 message back rather than going through the tables and pasting the fix to each and every date in the tables.

Just my two cents worth.

Tom Baker

go to the folder where a5v10 is installed.
open alpha5.errors in notepad

search for

1512=

change the error message to whatever you want.

e.g.

1512=Invalid date or time value

[Tbaker]

Re: invalid date error

Selwyn

Thanks, that will save me lot of time and headaches.


Regards
Tom Baker

[Ton Spies]

Re: invalid date error

Hmm. Repeat that after every installed patch ?/!

[Tbaker]

Re: invalid date error

Ton

Or repeat that for every installation of the runtime.

The headache I was talking about was with my Warehouse Management with a lot of tables to be update with the code on the CanWriteField event. This make it easier - just correct the A5 errors file.

Maybe I should put this on the wish list

Tom Baker

[Al Buchholz]

Re: invalid date error

so write a function to read the error file, determine if the change has been made, and if not make the change and save the error file.

[Tbaker]

Re: invalid date error

Hi Al

Thanks - good advice.

Tom Baker

[Ton Spies]

Re: invalid date error

Why we must do Alpha's work?
A correct error definition must be part of the program.


However, If I can add an extra field for textmessages in my own language, hmmm and just compare the english old and new text...


What must I do now?
Shall I sell this idea to Richard to promote the International usage of Alpha Five?