CTOD()

Scalar function that converts a date string to a date value.

Supported in SQL:	Yes
Supported in Navigational:	Yes

Syntax

CTOD(<cDate>) à dDate

Parameters

<cDate>

A character string consisting of numbers representing the month, day, and year separated by any character other than a number. The month, day, and year digits must be specified in accordance with the function to set the date format.

Return Values

CTOD() returns a date value. If <cDate> is not a valid date, CTOD() returns an empty date.

Remarks

CTOD() is a character conversion function that converts a character string to a date. CTOD() is used whenever you need a literal date value. Some examples include:

•	Specifying a literal date string in order to perform date arithmetic

•	Comparing the result of a date expression to a literal date string

CTOD() is the inverse of DTOC() which converts a date value to a character string in the format specified by the function to set the date format. DTOS() also converts a date value to a character string in the form yyyymmdd.

Note Binary and image fields are not supported by this function. Memo fields are supported by the SQL version of the scalar.