Different Date Formats in the same "From"

Question

Hello
We used different date formats depending on the users language.
In a report this is simple to implement ... read the date field twice (in different formats dd/mm/yyyy and mm/dd/yyyy) and display only one based on the language.
I want to be able to do the same in a "form" which updates a date. In this case the about is not allowed.
Has anyone have solution for this using "APEX" forms or do a need to write a process to achieve this?
Thanks
Pete

Answer 1

Pete,
You don't specify what version of Application Express you're using, so I'll assume APEX 3.1 or later.
Are you setting the date format yourself, based upon the user's language?
1) You could have the application's language derived from Browser, and then APEX would automatically set the NLS_LANGUAGE and NLS_TERRITORY settings accordingly. Then, I would simply use 'DS' as the Application Date Format. For Date Pickers on a form, I would use item type 'Date Picker (use Application Date Format)'.
2) If you're already determining the date format yourself and you don't want APEX to do it for you, ensure that you are setting this value in an application item (e.g., PETE_DATE_FORMAT). Then, you could still use Application Date Format with a value of &PETE_DATE_FORMAT. (inclusive of the trailing period).
When you use Application Date Format, the conversion should happen automatically for you so that you don't have to code this yourself on the Form.
I hope this helps.
Joel