Clarion is a programming language used for creating database applications. It supports various data formats, including dates. In Clarion, dates can be stored in numeric variables, DATE fields, or STRING types declared with a date picture. The date picture token converts the stored value into a specific date format.
The Clarion Date Format consists of predefined date pictures and user-defined date pictures. Predefined date pictures have modifiers that determine the format of the date. For example, @D1 mm/dd/yy represents a date in the format of month/day/year with two-digit year. The @D1>40 modifier specifies that the date is 40 years in the future or 80 years in the past.
There are 18 predefined date pictures with different formats, such as mm/dd/yy, mm/dd/yyyy, mmm dd, yyyy, dd/mm/yy, and more. Alternate separators can also be used, such as period, dash, underscore, or comma.
User-defined date pictures can be created using meta-symbols. These date pictures begin with @D and end with uppercase D. Meta-symbols include d for one-digit day of the month, dd for two-digit day of the month, M for one-digit month number, MM for two-digit month number, MMM for abbreviated month name, MMMM for full month name, yy for two-digit year, yyyy for four-digit year, W for day of the week abbreviation, and more.
Clarion also has a clarification for other data formats, such as Clarion time format and Clarion color format.
Key Takeaways
- The Clarion date format is a unique representation of dates in the Clarion programming language.
- There are 18 predefined date pictures in Clarion with different formats.
- User-defined date pictures can be created using meta-symbols.
How the Clarion Date Format Works
In Clarion, dates can be stored in numeric variables, DATE fields, or STRING types with a date picture. The Clarion Standard Date represents the number of days since December 28, 1800. This value is used in date picture tokens to convert the date into a specific format.
Clarion offers 18 predefined date pictures ranging from 1 through 18. These pictures contain modifiers such as separation characters, direction indicators, and range parameters. The separation character is used to separate the month, day, and year components in the date format. Direction indicators (>,
Intellidate logic in Clarion resolves the century for dates with two-digit years. By default, date pictures assume that the date falls within the next 19 or previous 80 years. However, the direction and range parameters can be used to customize this default range. For example, the picture @D1>60 specifies using the appropriate century for each year 60 years in the future and 39 years in the past.
In addition to predefined Clarion date format pictures, Clarion allows users to define their own custom date pictures using meta-symbols. User-defined date pictures begin with @D and end with the uppercase D. Meta-symbols like d, dd, M, MM, yyyy, etc. represent different components of the date, such as day, month, and year. Users can also specify the format of month names, day of the week abbreviations, and full names in an Environment file.
To summarize, the Clarion Date Format stores dates as the number of days since December 28, 1800 and uses date picture tokens to convert this value into specific date formats. Predefined and user-defined date pictures with meta-symbols are used to customize the format and display of dates in Clarion.
Predefined Clarion Date Format Pictures
There are two types of date pictures in Clarion: predefined date pictures and user-defined date pictures. Predefined date pictures are built-in formats that allow users to display dates in a variety of ways. There are 18 predefined formats available, ranging from mm/dd/yy to yyyy/mm. The formats can include separators such as slashes, periods, commas, hyphens, or spaces.
Furthermore, predefined date pictures in Clarion allow programmers to specify the direction and range for two-digit years using the concept of “Intellidate.” This helps to correctly interpret the century for dates with two-digit years. The supported range for Intellidate is from 0 to 119, with the default range being 50 to 99.
Custom date pictures can also be created in Clarion using meta-symbols. These symbols allow users to define the fully define the Clarion date format, including the separator characters used. Clarion supports various database formats, including ASCII, CSV, FoxPro, and dBase, and can output to HTML, XML, plain text, and PDF.
The Clarion Integrated Development Environment (IDE) allows users to code generation using templates. Templates offer users a faster way to develop applications by automatically generating code according to predefined rules. Users can also insert their own code into the generated code if necessary.
Clarion has three main products: Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and .NET. These versions offer different features for developing database applications. The language was first released in April 1986 and has undergone several updates and enhancements over the years, including support for the .NET framework.
User-Defined Date Pictures in Clarion
User-defined date pictures begin with the @D token and end with an uppercase D. This allows users to customize the format in which dates are displayed. With Clarion’s user-defined date pictures, users can specify the format for day, month, year, and other components of the date.
There are 18 predefined Date Pictures in Clarion, but users can create their own custom date pictures using meta-symbols. The @D token represents the beginning of a user-defined date picture, and the uppercase D represents the end. In between these symbols, users can include special meta-symbols to specify the format of the date.
The century for dates with a two-digit year is resolved using “Intellidate” logic. This ensures that the correct century is interpreted based on the current date. The direction and range parameters can be customized to further tailor this logic to specific needs.
User-defined date pictures are highly customizable and can include separators such as periods, commas, hyphens, and spaces. Additionally, month names and day of the week abbreviations can be customized in an Environment file for internationalization purposes.
Clarion is a programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) used to create database applications. It provides various features for working with date formats, including the display of user-defined date pictures.
Customizing Date Formats in Clarion
In both predefined and user-defined date pictures, you can specify separation characters between the month, day, and year components. The separation character is inserted automatically in the correct position when a date is displayed. Clarion recognizes several commonly used separators, such as slashes, periods, commas, hyphens, and spaces, and allows users to specify the separator of their choice.
In addition to specifying the separator, users can also specify the direction and range parameters to determine the century for dates with two-digit years. The direction parameter determines whether the two-digit year refers to a year in the past or future relative to the current year, and the range parameter specifies the range of years to be used.
Users can create their own custom Clarion date format pictures using meta-symbols, which provide options for day of the month, month number, month name, year, and day of the week. Meta-symbols are enclosed in angle brackets () and can be combined with separation characters to create a variety of date formats. For example, the date picture “@D” produces a date in the format of “Jan 01, 2022”.
Clarion also supports the use of alternate separators, such as periods, dashes, underscores, and grave accents. However, it should be noted that user-defined date pictures starting with certain combinations of characters are not allowed.
Customizing date formats can save time and improve readability for both developers and end-users. With Clarion’s flexible options for specifying separators and customizing date pictures, users can create date formats that are tailored to their specific needs.
Intellidate Logic in Clarion
Clarion employs “Intellidate” logic for date pictures with two-digit years. This logic automatically calculates the century of the date based on the current date and a range parameter. The direction parameter specifies whether the range is in the past or future, and the range parameter determines the number of years to consider. By default, the range is 80 years in the past and 19 years in the future.
The Intellidate Logic feature is incredibly useful for developers working with dates in Clarion, as it ensures accuracy and consistency in date calculations. It also saves time by eliminating the need to manually calculate the century for two-digit years.
Custom date pictures can also be defined in Clarion using meta-symbols and templates. This allows developers to create their own date formats for specific applications or industries. With the flexibility provided by the Intellidate Logic and custom date pictures, Clarion offers a highly customizable and powerful way of working with dates.
Clarion is a 4GL programming language and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed by SoftVelocity. It is specifically designed for creating database applications and supports various data access methods and output formats like HTML, XML, and PDF. With the Intellidate Logic and other features like templates for code generation, Clarion offers a simplified and efficient way of developing database applications.
Customizing Month Names in Date Pictures
It is important to note that the actual names of the months in date pictures can be customized in an Environment file. This is particularly useful if the application is intended for international use, as different languages may have different month names. To customize the month names, follow these steps:
- Open the Clarion IDE and go to the Tools menu.
- Select the Environment option, and then click Environment Files.
- Click the New button to create a new Environment file or select an existing one.
- Go to the Formats tab and find the Date section.
- Click the Customize button to modify the month names.
- Make the necessary changes to the month names, and then save the Environment file.
Customizing month names can help make the application more user-friendly and improve its usability for non-English speakers. The predefined date pictures in Clarion already provide a range of options for formatting dates, but customizations like this can further enhance the functionalities of the application.
Clarion Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
In addition to the date format, Clarion also offers a comprehensive development environment (IDE) for programming database applications. The Clarion IDE is a powerful tool that allows developers to create efficient and effective database applications using various data access methods.
The IDE provides various features for creating and editing code, including a code editor, project manager, and debugger. It also includes code generation facilities through templates, allowing developers to create code quickly and easily. Additionally, the IDE allows for customization through injecting code into generated code.
Clarion supports various data types, including numeric variables and DATE fields for storing dates. The IDE also offers support for working with the Clarion date format, making it easier for developers to work with dates in their applications.
Clarion has three main versions: Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and .NET. Each version offers different features and tools for developing database applications. The Professional Edition is ideal for small to medium-sized applications, while the Enterprise Edition is designed for larger applications with more advanced features. The .NET version allows developers to create applications using .NET technology.
Clarion has evolved since its initial release in 1986, and a library is now available for working with Clarion data formats in Rust. The library includes functionality for handling dates, times, and colors in the Clarion format, making it easier for programmers to work with Clarion data formats in Rust.
Templates in Clarion
The Clarion IDE includes code generation facilities called templates, which enable programmers to describe the program at an abstract level higher than code statements. Templates are provided in source form, and developers have the freedom to create their own templates. Using templates saves development time and increases productivity. Programmers can generate code by selecting the template and specifying the required parameters. The generated code can be further modified to extend or alter its functions.
Templates are used to generate code for different parts of the application, such as reports, screens, and procedures. They can be used to generate code for controls, data manipulation, and data display. Clarion provides a rich set of templates, and programmers can also create their own templates to generate custom code.
Templates are created using the Template Language, which is a markup language that has its own set of keywords and constructs. The Template Language provides constructs for control structures, iteration, and conditional execution.
Programmers can use the templates provided by Clarion or create their own templates. Creating templates requires knowledge of the Template Language and the Clarion language. The Clarion IDE provides a template editor for creating and editing templates.
Templates provide a powerful way to generate code. They enable programmers to create applications quickly and efficiently. Using templates helps reduce coding errors and speeds up the development process. The Clarion IDE provides a comprehensive set of templates for developers, and programmers can also create their own templates to generate custom code.
Different Versions of Clarion
There are three main versions of Clarion: Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and .NET. Each version offers different features and capabilities for programmers to develop database applications.
Professional Edition
The Professional Edition is the standard version of Clarion and is suited for small to mid-sized projects. It includes features such as a screen designer, a report writer, and support for popular databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL. It also allows for the use of third-party templates and modules to extend the functionality of the IDE.
Enterprise Edition
The Enterprise Edition is designed for larger projects and organizations with more complex requirements. It includes all the features of the Professional Edition, as well as additional features such as support for development on a remote server, a source code control system, and integrated debugging tools. The Enterprise Edition also includes support for third-party tools such as Crystal Reports.
.NET
The .NET version of Clarion is designed for Windows-based applications and provides support for the latest .NET Framework. It includes all the features of the Enterprise Edition, as well as additional functionality for building Windows desktop and web applications. The .NET version also supports XML and web services, allowing for integration with other systems and applications.
Summary:
In summary, the Clarion date format is a unique representation of dates in the Clarion programming language. The format uses predefined and user-defined date pictures which can be customized to suit specific requirements. Programmers can also customize the appearance of date formats by specifying separation characters. Clarion also features intellidate logic for two-digit years and provides customization options for month names in date pictures.
The Clarion Integrated Development Environment (IDE) offers features for developing database applications such as templates for code generation. There are different versions of Clarion available, including the Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and .NET.
Understanding the Clarion date format is essential for effective development in this programming language. With a library for working with Clarion data formats now available in Rust, developers can work with Clarion dates, times, and colors with even greater ease.
Conclusion
Understanding the Clarion date format is crucial for anyone working with the Clarion programming language and developing database applications. As we have seen in this comprehensive guide, Clarion offers various predefined and user-defined date pictures, allowing programmers to create custom date formats and customize the appearance of a Clarion date format by specifying separation characters. Clarion also employs intellidate logic to ensure the correct interpretation of two-digit years and century information. Moreover, Clarion provides an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) with features such as templates for code generation, and different versions of Clarion offer various features for developing database applications.
Overall, the Clarion language is a versatile tool for developing database applications, and understanding the Clarion date format is just one part of its capability. For anyone working with dates in Clarion, it’s important to remember that the language is continually evolving, with new features and enhancements being introduced over the years. In addition, the Clarion library in Rust provides a simple way of working with Clarion data formats, including dates, times, and colors, making it easier than ever to work with the Clarion language.
Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide on the Clarion date format. We hope it has provided you with a better understanding of how dates are stored in Clarion and how you can work with them in your database applications. Keep exploring the Clarion language and its capabilities, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Clarion community for help and support.
FAQ
Q: What is the Clarion date format?
A: The Clarion date format is a unique representation of dates in the Clarion programming language. It allows dates to be stored in numeric variables, DATE fields, or STRING types with a date picture.
Q: What are predefined date pictures in Clarion?
A: Predefined date pictures in Clarion are already set with specific date formats. They are represented by the @D token followed by a number from 1 to 18, determining the format of the date picture.
Q: Can I create custom date formats in Clarion?
A: Yes, Clarion allows programmers to create custom date formats using user-defined date pictures. These pictures can be constructed using meta-symbols that represent different date components.
Q: How can I customize the appearance of the Clarion date format?
A: You can specify separation characters between the month, day, and year components in date pictures. Common separation characters include slash (/), period (.), grave accent (`), hyphen (-), and underscore (_).
Q: How does Clarion handle two-digit years in date pictures?
A: Clarion employs “Intellidate” logic for two-digit years. By default, it assumes that the date falls within the next 19 or previous 80 years. The direction and range parameters can be used to change this default.
Q: Can I customize the month names in date pictures?
A: Yes, the actual names of the months in date pictures can be customized in an Environment file. This feature allows for internationalization and localization of the Clarion date format.
Q: What is the Clarion Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?
A: The Clarion IDE is a comprehensive development environment for programming database applications. It includes code generation facilities called templates, which convert program descriptions into actual code.
Q: Are there different versions of Clarion available?
A: Yes, Clarion offers three main versions: Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and .NET. Each edition has different features and capabilities for developing database applications.
Source Links
- https://clarion.help/doku.php?id=date_pictures.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarion_(programming_language)
- https://docs.rs/clarion
- https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/clarion-date-conversion.125149/
- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10639677/clarion-date-conversion-c-sharp-date-add-subtract
- https://clarion.help/doku.php?id=date_pictures_1.htm
- https://docs.actian.com/dataconnect/11.5.2/User/Clarion.htm
- https://clarion.help/doku.php?id=time_pictures.htm
- https://groups.google.com/g/comp.lang.clarion/c/-SbSG8HO02I
- https://www.sqlservercentral.com/forums/topic/clarion-date-conversion
- https://www.capesoft.com/docs/StringTheory3/StringTheory.htm
- https://theeventscalendar.com/knowledgebase/how-to-change-the-date-format-to-the-month-name/
- https://dbpedia.org/page/Clarion_(programming_language)
- http://clarion.help/doku.php?id=extension_template_datetimedisplay.htm
- https://www.excelkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=353
- https://clarion.help/doku.php?id=standard_time.htm
- https://comp.lang.clarion.narkive.com/7eHbXgLp/top-speed-date-storage-format
