Abstract: In a database having date fields, years past 1999 are written in a format such as binary integer format or binary-coded decimal format, either of which can be signed or unsigned. In the binary-coded decimal format, two bytes generally used to indicate the last two digits of the year can instead be used to indicate a sign and three digits. If the number of years elapsed since 1900 is used, the positive numbers from zero to 999 represent the years 1900-2899, while negative numbers represent years before 1900. Year data written in either of these formats can coexist with year data written in legacy formats, in which case the legacy and enterprise formats are distinguished by comparison of the binary integer value of a year datum or a portion thereof with a predetermined range or by checking one or more bits. The legacy format can be a format such as ASCII, EBCDIC or BCD Julian.

Abstract: In a database having date fields, years past 1999 are written in a format such as binary integer format or binary-coded decimal format, either of which can be signed or unsigned. In the binary-coded decimal format, two bytes generally used to indicate the last two digits of the year can instead be used to indicate a sign and three digits. If the number of years elapsed since 1900 is used, the positive numbers from zero to 999 represent the years 1900-2899, while negative numbers represent years before 1900. Year data written in either of these formats can coexist with year data written in legacy formats, in which case the legacy and enterprise formats are distinguished by comparison of the binary integer value of a year datum or a portion thereof with a predetermined range or by checking one or more bits. The legacy format can be a format such as ASCII, EBCDIC or BCD Julian.

Abstract: Years past 1999 are stored as binary integers or in other coding schemes not reserved by ASCII or EBCDIC in fields previously reserved for representations of years as two decimal digits. The binary integers occupy ranges of values for the fields which are not used by an integer value corresponding to any possible combination of two decimal digits from 00 to 99. Data written in binary format and data written in a conventional format such as ASCII can be distinguished in various ways, such as by determining whether the year datum has a binary integer value falling inside or outside the range for possible ASCII combinations of two digits, or testing the bit having a place value of 4,096. If this bit is tested, it will always be on (one) for data written in ASCII and off (zero) for all binary integer values from zero through 4,095. In this way, data using integer-encoded years and years represented by the last two decimal digits will be able to coexist for at least ten thousand years.

Abstract: Years past 1999 are stored as binary integers in fields previously reserved for representations of years as two decimal digits. The binary integers occupy ranges of values for the fields which are not used by an integer value corresponding to any possible combination of two decimal digits from 00 to 99. In this way, data using integer-encoded years and years represented by the last two decimal digits will be able to coexist for at least ten thousand years.

Abstract: Years past 1999 are stored as binary integers or in other coding schemes not reserved by ASCII or EBCDIC in fields previously reserved for representations of years as two decimal digits. The binary integers occupy ranges of values for the fields which are not used by an integer value corresponding to any possible combination of two decimal digits from 00 to 99. Data written in binary format and data written in a conventional format such as ASCII can be distinguished in various ways, such as by determining whether the year datum has a binary integer value falling inside or outside the range for possible ASCII combinations of two digits, or testing the bit having a place value of 4,096. If this bit is tested, it will always be on (one) for data written in ASCII and off (zero) for all binary integer values from zero through 4,095. In this way, data using integer-encoded years and years represented by the last two decimal digits will be able to coexist for at least ten thousand years.

Abstract: Years past 1999 are stored as binary integers in fields previously reserved for representations of years as two decimal digits. The binary integers occupy ranges of values for the fields which are not used by an integer value corresponding to any possible combination of two decimal digits from 00 to 99. In this way, data using integer-encoded years and years represented by the last two decimal digits will be able to coexist for at least ten thousand years.